<\/p>\n
Researchers using the NASA\/ESA\/CSA James Webb Space Telescope<\/a>\u2019s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera<\/a>) have discovered a high-speed jet stream sitting over Jupiter\u2019s equator, above the main cloud decks.<\/p>\n Researchers spotted several wind shears, or areas where wind speeds change with height or distance, which enabled them to track the jet. This image highlights several of the features around Jupiter\u2019s equatorial zone that are very clearly disturbed by the motion of the jet stream during a rotation of the planet. The right white boxes contain images taken ten hours apart of Jupiter\u2019s equatorial zone. The coloured cut-outs show the movement of several features caused by the jet.<\/p>\n The discovery of this jet is providing insight into how the layers of Jupiter\u2019s famously turbulent atmosphere interact with each other, and how Webb is uniquely capable of tracking those features. Researchers are looking forward to additional observations of Jupiter with Webb to determine if the jet\u2019s speed and altitude change over time.<\/p>\n [Image description<\/i>: The infographic shows Webb\u2019s image of Jupiter at the left. On the right side there are eight separate images. Two of these images are horizontal and span the entire right half of the infographic. They are zoomed-in pullouts from a section of Jupiter\u2019s equator \u2013 outlined in a white box on the image of the planet on the left. Both of these images are white and grey with horizontal wispy clouds. There are six smaller boxes in between the two horizontal images. The first column of the boxes is outlined in orange, the second column purple and the third yellow. Each of the smaller images correspond to orange, purple, and yellow boxes placed along the horizontal images.]<\/p>\n