Earth compared to Jupiter. Computer artwork of the Earth (lower left) shown next to Jupiter's Great Red Spot (upper right). Around three Earths would fit across this Jovian cyclical storm system. The Great Red Spot varies in size, sometimes being up to 40,000 kilometres across. The Earth is 12,756 kilometres across. The Great Red Spot consists of cold clouds that rotate anti-clockwise. The red colour is thought to be caused by phosphorus at the cloud tops. The Great Red Spot is thought to be hundreds of years old. Jupiter lies some 778 million kilometres from the Sun, while Earth lies some 150 million kilometres from the Sun.