Saturn's Hexagon

[deckardcanine]

The north pole of Saturn is home to a roughly
Hexagonal cloud pattern wider than Earth.
The south pole does not have a polygon, only
A vortex of major but much lesser girth.

A steep latitudinal gradient found
In the speed of the winds in the atmosphere might
Account for the hexagon; similar shapes
Have been made in a circular tank (with delight).

Some researchers claim that such lab simulations
Show spiraling vortices not like the pole.
A slow, shallow jet stream that moves in the main clouds’
Direction can mimic their act on the whole.

So how has the hexagon lasted for decades?
The north polar vortex helps stabilize jets.
A storm ringed by winds on the opposite path
Can make regular shapes, Andrew Ingersoll bets.

It’s also worth noting the hexagon’s color
Has shifted to golden from blue in four years.
One theory: The pole is exposed to the sun
As the season has changed, so a haze then appears.