It turns out that not all the red spots spotted on Jupiter were the Great Red Spot, probably.
Here's an interesting paper about that.
The Origin of Jupiter's Great Red Spot
Plain Language Paper Summary:
"Jupiter's Great Red Spot (GRS) is probably the best known atmospheric feature and a popular icon among solar system objects. Its large oval shape, contrasted red color and longevity, have made it an easily visible target for small telescopes. From historical measurements of size and motions, we show that most likely the current GRS was first reported in 1831 and is not the Permanent Spot observed by G. D. Cassini and others between 1665 and 1713. Numerical models show that the GRS genesis could have taken place from an elongated and shallow, low speed circulation cell, produced in the meridionally sheared flow."
So, let's hope it persists awhile longer.
I shall not say "Out out damned spot!" anon.
The Great Red Spot, imaged by Juno
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