Huge Storms to Collide

Two of the largest storms in the Solar System are going to collide at the beginning of next month, at least according to NASA. Thankfully these storms are to be found on Jupiter! The Great Red Spot of Jupiter is about to meet is younger and smaller rival. What's going to happen is unknown, two previous near misses between the Great Red Spot and Red Spot Jr. have failed to provide any kind of show. However things have changed for this passing as Red Spot Jr. has recently changed colour from white to red, an indication of stronger winds in the core of the storm. NASA Scientist Amy Simon-Miller of the Goddard Space Flight Center suggests that "the Great Red Spot will push Oval BA [Red Spot Jr.] toward a southern jet stream, which is blowing against the oval's counterclockwise rotation." This would slow Oval BA's spin, possibly reversing the process that reddened it in the first place.

More details and pictures at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/05jun_redperil.htm?list855910