On the surface of Jupiter, one can observe the colorful latitudinal bands that line the planet. These bands illustrate the complex weather systems on Jupiter that are not only dynamic but extremely erratic. On the surface, high velocity bands of wind blow in opposite directions and can cause the multi-colored patterns to arise. The colors come from the slight chemical and temperature differences between adjacent bands. Most likely, this interaction involves chemical reactions with the elements of smaller percent by mass composition such as sulfur.
There are two primary bands on Jupiter. The light colored bands are named zones while the dark ones are called belts. Also, one can judge the approximate altitude of the bands by looking at the colors. The blue colored bands are the ones lowest in altitude, followed by the brown and white colored bands. At the highest point are the red colored bands.
Although observers on Earth had noticed the bands for a fair amount of time, the Voyager spacecraft was the first to see that in between two adjacent bands moving in opposite directions, there exists a complex system of vortices. In addition, the space probe Galileo clocked the surface wind speed to be more than 400 miles per hour and found the surface to be rather turbulent. This information indicates that much of the activity of the planet comes from within, that the hot inner core drives many of the reactions seen on the surface. This contrasts Earth where many of the actions are the result of solar activity.
Jupiter's Bands 
