Scientists surprised as hexagon-shaped storm twice the size of Earth changes color on Saturn

Winds blow 330 MPH around storm.

When the Voyager spacecraft visited Saturn, they both captured a bizarre phenomenon. Saturn has a hexagonal-shaped storm swirling on its north pole. Now, scientists are baffled by a new mystery, the storm has changed color.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Saturn is unique because it has a hexagon-shaped storm circulating around its north pole. The storm was first observed by Voyagers 1 and 2 on their flybys of the planet in 1980 and 1981. However, the images revealing the storm were not reviewed until 1988.

The storm was not photographed again until 2004 with the arrival of the Cassini mission.

The storm was a surprise because of its shape. Scientists discovered that a polar jet stream is responsible for the storm. The winds around the storm blow at an amazing 330 MPH. The storm is also twice the size of Earth.

Ever since it was discovered, the storm has been photographed while blue, but now it has changed color to a golden brown, surprising scientists. The reason for the color change is grounds for speculation.

Most scientists think the chemical composition of the storm has changed because Saturn is close to starting its summer season. As the polar region receives more sunlight, photo-chemical reactions take place in the Saturnian atmosphere which alters the chemical reaction of the clouds. As a result, the pole appears a hazy, golden brown.

They expect when Saturn returns to its autumn in about 8 years, the storm's color will change back to blue.

Scientists still aren't certain why Saturn's storm is hexagon-shaped or why the storm has changed colors, but they continue to study the mystery with laboratory models and direct observation with satellites.

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