JWST Uncovers Jupiter's 320 MPH Equatorial Jet Stream

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made a surprising discovery in Jupiter's atmosphere, revealing a high-speed jet stream with speeds over 300 miles per hour and spanning 3,000 miles in width. This jet stream, located above Jupiter's equator and beyond its main cloud layers, sheds light on the interaction between Jupiter's atmosphere layers and showcases the unique capabilities of the Webb telescope. By analyzing data captured by Webb's Near-Infrared Camera, scientists were able to track the jet stream and observe changes in wind speed with altitude. The newfound understanding of Jupiter's atmosphere is a result of Webb's ability to look deeper into the near-infrared spectrum, providing a view of the higher-altitude layers of the planet. Further observations with Webb will help determine if the jet's speed and altitude change over time.