Final answer:
The belts and zones on Jupiter are caused by atmospheric convection currents, with light zones being upwelling air and dark belts being cooler, descending air. These features are shaped by Jupiter's atmospheric dynamics, including wind patterns and pressure differences, and are not influenced by seasonal changes due to Jupiter's small axial tilt.
Step-by-step explanation:
Visible Belts and Zones in the Atmosphere of Jovian Planets
The appearance of visible belts and zones on Jupiter, along with other jovian planets, is a result of atmospheric dynamics. The light zones represent areas where warm air is rising, topped by white ammonia cirrus clouds, indicating the tops of convection currents. In contrast, the dark belts are places where the atmosphere is cooler and moving downward. This cycling of air completes the convection process and the belts appear darker due to the fewer ammonia clouds present, thus allowing us to see deeper into the atmosphere, possibly to a layer of ammonium hydrosulfide clouds. These patterns remain relatively unchanged seasonally due to the small tilt in Jupiter's axis.
The jovian planets do not have solid surfaces; their atmospheres are indicative of their overall compositions. Becoming familiar with the atmospheric structure of these planets helps us understand their weather patterns, including the formation of incredibly large storms that can exceed the size of Earth. Furthermore, the winds and weather on these planets are influenced by high and low-pressure regions. Air flows between these areas, and the planet's rotation distorts the wind patterns. Tracking the changing cloud patterns allows measurement of wind speeds and observation of atmospheric circulation.