Storm of giant plants like Jupiter and Saturn are topic of research since long. Now, University of Alberta researchers have been creating 3D simulations to understand weather and storms on these gas giants.

According to the researchers, the main objective behind the simulations was to create realistic models of powerful storms in space giants. Moritz Heimpel, a professor of physics at the University of Alberta and lead author of the study, said 3D simulations of storms on Saturn and Jupiter could help in understanding dynamics of space weather. He also thinks the process could reveal several things about our home planet’s weather patterns.

Heimpel said Jupiter’s bands and spots have surprised scientists and space enthusiasts since observations made by Giovanni Cassini in the mid-17th century. But after more than three centuries, the weather networks of the planet are still a mystery for them, according to Heimpel.

There is no complex method to see the structures. Anyone can watch them with a backyard telescope, Heimpel said. “However, even in the present age with the Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn and the Juno craft approaching Jupiter, there is considerable debate about the dynamics of the atmospheres of the giant planets”, the professor added.

As per Heimpel, he and his team members will push their study further next year when the Juno spacecraft will enter one of Jupiter's polar orbits. One year after that, the Cassini mission will be into orbit around Saturn.