APOD 3.8

March 17th, 2011.                                  Saturn's Serpent Storm

According to studies, late in the year last year a violent storm erupted in the Northern Hemisphere of Planet Saturn.  This white storm is still going on, now putting on a show like that of its rival planet Jupiter.  It is believed that the storm has grown and now spans a length of 100degrees of longitude.  The last time a storm of this magnitude took place on Saturn was 1994, and the current storm is easily the brightest appearance on the globe, rivaling even Saturn's great rings themselves.  The storm was nicknamed the serpent storm as the disturbance weaves and swerves around the planet.  Pictures of the storm have been taken by the Cassini Spacecraft which is in orbit around Saturn.  While the storm was first noted last December by amateur astronomers, it has taken much interest around the world and is now studied by many astronomers all over, amateur and professional.