Kids Feedback: When Did the Great Red Spot on Jupiter Form?

While studying the planets for his homeschool science class, my 10-year-old son came to me with the following question: Would the Great Red Spot on Jupiter have to have been formed after the Fall since deadly forces like hurricanes would not have been around before sin entered the world, or could it have been formed at creation considering it would not cause any death on an uninhabited planet?

Thank You & God Bless!

– M.B., Morristown, Tennessee

Response from Dr. Jason Lisle:

That’s an insightful question. The answer is that we really don’t know if God created Jupiter with the red spot already there, or if the spot developed after creation. However, there is no problem with having a red spot on Jupiter before the Fall, because—as was stated—it would not cause any death on an uninhabited planet.

To learn more about astronomy, please see the following:

• Our Solar System
• The Earth, Our Home
• The Answers Book for Kids: Volume 5
• Astronomy
• Young Universe

Parents, if your children have any questions, please submit them using the “contact us” section on our main website.