Jupiter is growing new red spot

Backyard astronomers should aim their telescopes toward Jupiter at sunrise because the largest planet in the solar system is growing a new red spot, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Astronomers recently identified the new red spot, a storm called Oval BA or Red Jr. It's about half the size of the famous Great Red Spot on the planet, the most powerful storm in the universe, almost twice as wide as Earth and at least 300 years old.

Astronomers first saw Red Jr. using Hubble and other telescopes in 2000 when three smaller spots collided and merged, according to NASA.

At first sight, Red Jr. was white-the same color as the storms that combined to create it. But the oval has since changed from white in November to brown in December, and then to red in February, according to reports. Now the oval is the same color as the Great Red Spot.

Scientists don't know precisely why the Great Red Spot itself is that color. According to NASA experts, a favorite theory is that the storm dredges material from beneath Jupiter's clouds and lifts it to high altitudes where solar ultraviolet radiation-through some unknown chemical reaction-produces the brick-like color.

Jupiter is easy to find. Generally, the planet will rise in the southeast portion of the sky and appear to travel southward across the sky. Jupiter is fairly large and visible in the sky just before sunrise each morning.

During this time of year, the sun comes up between about 5:30 and 5:40 a.m. Jupiter rises between about 2:45 and 3:15 a.m. These times vary depending on the location.

Jupiter outshines the heavenly bodies around it. Small telescopes have no trouble making out Jupiter's cloud belts and its four largest moons. Telescopes 10 inches or larger with CCD cameras should be able to track Red Jr. with ease.

Using binoculars, one might be able to see Jupiter's distinctive coloring, the banding on the planet and Jupiter's moons, which will have the appearance of faint stars close to the planet.

Jupiter is still visible to the eye without binoculars or a telescope. It looks like a very bright star. However, Red Jr. isn't visible with the naked eye.