Jupiter appears to have had something of an unexpected face lift. After the planet moved behind the Sun for three months, it emerged without one of its signature red stripes — leaving scientists searching for an explanation. In military ranks, this would indicate a drop from planetary corporal to private.

The scientists were astonished when they focused telescopes in on Jupiter only to find its band in the Southern Hemisphere missing.

The belts of Jupiter are clouds that blow at 350 pmh. The highest white clouds are composed of crystals of frozen ammonia. The lowest darker clouds are are composed of sulphur and phosphorus.

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