Animation of Earth-based observations of Saturn storm (Dec 14, 2010 to Dec 30, 2010)


Animation of Earth-based observations of Saturn storm (Dec 14, 2010 to Dec 30, 2010)
Originally uploaded by MikeMalaska

Compilation of several images taken by multiple observers from December 14, 2010 to December 30, 2010.

Storm observations where the storm was closest to the sub-solar point were selected. The images were then ordered by date and time, reoriented and resized. No contrast or color adjustment was made on the original images.

The storm can be seen to flare up and expand dramatically a few frames in (corresponding to the December 17, 2010 observation). Halfway through the sequence (corresponding to December 25, 2010 observations) the storm develops a bilobed character that becomes increasingly apparent as the sequence continues. North is at top in the sequence.

The bilobed development of the storm is also evidenced by the methane transmission images taken by the Cassini spacecraft in orbit around Saturn: (false color image using MT filters here: www.flickr.com/photos/31678681@N07/5308241667/in/photostr... ) The eastern lobe appears to be the more active one in the Dec 24 Cassini image, as evidenced by the bright upwelling at the core of the E lobe.

Image credits: Tomio Akutsu, Trevor Barry, Jaume Castella, Donald Parker,
Damien Peach, Sean Walker, and Anthony Wesley
Graphic prepared by Mike Malaska

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