JWST discovers intense equatorial jet in Jupiter's lower stratosphere
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has observed an intense and narrow equatorial jet in Jupiter's lower stratosphere. The observations reveal a distinct central jet at the equator, similar to Saturn's equatorial jet, but with a stronger vertical wind shear. The jet increases in altitude up to the tropopause and is located in a region of elevated hazes above the main cloud deck. The findings highlight the similarities and differences in the equatorial dynamics of Jupiter and Saturn and provide new insights into the atmospheric dynamics of gas giants.