Final answer:
The dark belts and bright zones of Jupiter are created by convection currents in the planet's atmosphere, with the light zones representing areas of rising air and cloud formation, and the dark belts indicating descending cooler air with less cloud cover.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formations of dark belts and bright zones in Jupiter's atmosphere are due to the dynamics of the planet's weather patterns, particularly convection. The light zones on Jupiter are areas where air is rising, and these are capped by white ammonia cirrus clouds, making them appear brighter. This upwelling of air indicates the presence of convection currents. Conversely, the dark belts consist of regions where the cooler air descends, completing the convection cycle. Because there are fewer ammonia clouds in these areas, we're able to see deeper into Jupiter's atmosphere, possibly as far down as regions of ammonium hydrosulfide clouds. The Galileo probe confirmed this by sampling one of these downdrafts and found it to be relatively clear of clouds.
Jupiter's atmosphere is known for its remarkable bands that appear as alternating dark and light stripes stretching around the planet parallel to the equator. These bands do not change with the seasons due to the small tilt of Jupiter's axis, although their appearance may shift in intensity and position over time. The bands on Jupiter are semi-permanent features, and their existence has been a subject of study, further investigated by missions like those of the Pioneers and Galileo spacecraft. Though Jupiter's atmosphere is mainly hydrogen, which would typically be colorless, the clouds of Jupiter display a variety of colors, suggesting the presence of other elements or compounds.