Amateur astronomer reveals new insights into Jupiter's cloud composition

An amateur astronomer, Steve Hill, has discovered that Jupiter's clouds may not be made of ammonia ice, as previously thought. His findings, based on data from commercial telescopes, suggest a different composition in the gas giant's atmosphere. Hill used band-depth analysis to measure light absorption and found that reflective cloud layers exist at deeper pressure levels than expected. This challenges long-held assumptions about where ammonia ice condenses in Jupiter's atmosphere. The research indicates that photochemistry plays a significant role in Jupiter's atmosphere, with ammonia being destroyed faster than it can rise. Further studies will integrate data from various observatories to enhance understanding of Jupiter's atmospheric dynamics.