Giovanni Cassini discovered the Great Red Spot on Jupiter in 1665. Since then, researchers have been keen to solve the mysteries behind this giant storm, such as why its colored red.

NASA experts used ultraviolet light to simulate sunlight and blasted it at two gases known to exist on Jupiter: ammonia and acetylene. It formed a red material similar to the Great Red Spot.

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The giant red spot is actually a giant storm that has lasted for more than 300 years. It's large enough to fit three Earths inside it and can actually be seen by earthly telescopes.

It rotates counter-clockwise in a six day cycle with a width that's double that of the Earth's.

The Red Spot could be the product of chemicals in the planet's upper atmosphere split apart by the sun.

"Our models suggest most of the Great Red Spot is actually pretty bland in color, beneath the upper cloud layer of reddish material. Under the reddish 'sunburn' the clouds are probably whitish or grayish." said NASA researcher Kevin Baines.

The intensity of the Great Red Spot's color is due to the storm's winds bringing ammonia ice particles into the upper atmosphere of the planet, and then exposing it to more UV light. The storm can't stop the ammonia particles from lingering, creating a constant red color.

NASA says ammonia may "both enable and enhance" the reddening.

"The Great Red Spot is extremely tall. It reaches much higher altitudes than clouds elsewhere on Jupiter," Baines added.

Aside from red, Jupiter showcases colors such as orange, brown and other shades of red.

NASA will present its findings this week at the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Science Meeting in Tucson, Arizona.

TagsJupiter, Red Great Spot, Jupiter's Great Red Spot, NASA, Sunspot, cassini, space exploration