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[10.01] A study of the long-term properties of Jovian hot spots from HST and ground-based observations between 1994 and 1998

E. Arregui, J. F. Rojas, A. Sanchez-Lavega (UPV), J. Lecacheux (Obs. Meudon), F. Colas (I. Mecanique), I. Miyazaki (Japan), D. Parker (ALPO)

We have used the HST-WFPC2 archived images of Jupiter in the period 1994-1998 together with a large set of CCD ground based images, to study the zonal distribution, long-term motions, lifetimes, interactions and other properties of the hot spot - plume regions at 7 degrees North. Red and near infrared filters covering the wavelength range 650 - 953 nm have been used since they show the hot spots with a high contrast. We have found that the hot spots have velocities ranging from 95 to 112 m/s and are grouped typically in families of three to six members. We do not found any correlation between their velocity and wavenumber. The long-term survey allowed us to identify mergers and splitting of the hot spots areas.

The Spanish team was supported by Gobierno Vasco PI 034/97. The French team was supported by the "Programme National de Planetologie."

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: wupsalaa@bi.ehu.es