Forwarded from weird shit
The swirling vortex at planet Venus' south pole, as seen by ESA's Venus Express spacecraft between 2007 and 2008. The shape of the vortex core, which measures 2000–3000 km across, changes dramatically as it's buffeted by turbulent winds. It can resemble an ‘S’, a figure-of-eight, a spiral, an eye, and more, quickly morphing from one day to the next. Imaging in thermal-infrared light shows the cloud-top temperature: the core of the vortex is at a higher temperature, indicated by yellow tones.
❤1