Drops of Jupiter

Print available for this painting

Drops of Jupiter – The planet Jupiter is the fifth planet out from the Sun; and it is one of five planets visible to the naked eye from Earth. It is two and a half times more massive than all the other planets in the solar system combined. While Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, it spins very quickly on its axis.  A day on Jupiter lasts only 9 hours and 55 minutes, the shortest day of all the planets. Gee, not much time to eat, sleep, exercise and work before a new day is upon you!

Jupiter is made primarily of gases and is therefore known as a “gas giant”. Its atmosphere is like an ocean of gases.  The currents in these gases — similar to wind here on Earth — cause ever changing colorful swirls. This causes Jupiter to look swirly from a distance. Some scientists believe a combination of sulfur and phosphorus in the atmosphere make the lovely colors.

Drops of Jupiter – Great Red Spot

One of the most interesting facts about Jupiter is that it has a big red spot known as Jupiter’s Great Red Spot.  I like the sound of that – “Great Red Spot”. The red spot is a huge storm that has been continuously raging on Jupiter for over 400 years.  It is so large that three Earths could fit inside it. Winds inside this storm reach speeds of about 270 mph.  The red spot of Jupiter is the biggest, most violent storm in the known universe.

The red spot circulates counter-clockwise and takes six (earth) days to rotate completely. Scientists still aren’t sure why the wind swirls continue to change or what makes the red spot red. Some believe the winds, and thus the changes, are caused by the internal heat of the planet while others feel they occur because of Jupiter’s fast rotation speed. Maybe future astronomers will discover the answer.

So like the swirling gases of Jupiter, this painting is a small reflection of Jupiter’s intense Great Red Spot with its intriguing colorful winds. The title for this painting actually came to me while I was listening to Train’s song titled “Drops of Jupiter”.

I thought I share with you a few interesting lines from the “Drops of Jupiter” lyrics.

“Now that she’s back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair, hey, hey
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there’s time to change, hey, hey
Since the return of her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like June, hey, hey
Hey, hey

But tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated?

Tell me, did you fall from a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there”

Dare to Feel,

Red (Linda Harrison)

See more of Red’s Creations in her gallery.

www.facebook.com/StrokesbyRed