This is a drawing of Jupiter's belts and zones.
Click on image for full size
NASA

Jupiter's Belts and Zones

The striped cloud bands on Jupiter are certainly not as straight as they appear to be in this picture!

The picture shows that the striped pattern is divided into belts and zones, which are labeled. In a belt, the winds flow in one direction (east to west). In a zone, the winds blow in the opposite direction (west to east). The clouds rise in a belt, and drop down in a zone.

Measurements show that the winds of Jupiter, within a belt or a zone are usually 100 m/sec (225 miles/hour). These wind speeds provide for a pretty rough environment.

(Earth has a similar but much less pronounced pattern of belts and zones.)


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