Scientists in Pasadena, California, are gaining new insights into Jupiter’s moons thanks to data collected by NASA’s Juno spacecraft. Juno recently completed two close flybys of Io, providing stunning images of the moon’s volcanic activity. “Io is simply littered with volcanoes, and we caught a few of them in action,” said Scott Bolton, Juno’s principal investigator. The spacecraft also captured detailed images of a 127-mile-long lava lake called Loki Patera.
During the flybys, Juno came within 930 miles of Io’s surface, allowing mission team members to create a mesmerizing flyover animation. Additionally, maps created using Juno data revealed that Io’s surface is smoother than other Galilean moons and that its poles are colder than its mid-latitude regions. The spacecraft also gathered valuable information about Jupiter’s poles, showcasing the differences among the gas giant’s north polar cyclones.
Juno’s Microwave Radiometer (MWR) instrument provided insights into the intriguing phenomena occurring at Jupiter’s poles. Data from the instrument uncovered variations in the gas giant’s north polar cyclones, indicating differences in their subsurface structures. Scientists are also studying Jupiter’s water abundance, with Juno’s recent findings confirming that the water near Jupiter’s equator is approximately three to four times the solar abundance when compared to hydrogen.
While there are still mysteries surrounding Jupiter’s formation, Juno’s extended mission continues to provide valuable data to researchers. The spacecraft is scheduled for its 61st close flyby of Jupiter on May 12, offering more opportunities for scientists to unravel the secrets of the gas giant and its moons.