Hubble marks ten years of observing outer planets in new project milestone

The Hubble Space Telescope has marked ten years of observing Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune as part of its Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) project. This initiative aims to study the weather and atmospheric changes of these distant planets. Recent images from 2014 to 2024 show significant findings. Jupiter's cloud structures and the Great Red Spot have shifted, while Saturn's seasonal changes are influenced by its tilt. Uranus and Neptune also exhibit unique atmospheric behaviors linked to their positions and solar cycles. Hubble will continue to monitor these outer planets, expanding its database to track long-term atmospheric changes. The telescope is expected to remain operational until the mid-2030s.