These captivating new images of Jupiter’s cloud-tops were processed using the JunoCam imager’s PJ52 JET N3 raw images and data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft. The images have been enhanced to highlight the planet’s features, clouds, colors, and its sheer beauty. Please note that this artist’s impression is not representative of true color.
NASA / SwRI / MSSS / Tanya Oleksuik © CC NC SA
A stunning collection of close-up images of Jupiter’s cloud-tops has just arrived from the planet. These images were captured on June 23, 2023, using the two-megapixel camera on NASA’s Juno spacecraft, which is currently orbiting the “King of Planets” approximately 390 million miles / 628 million kilometers away.
Juno, the farthest solar-powered spacecraft from Earth, was on its 52nd perijove (close flyby) during this mission.
This image shows three northern circumpolar cyclones on Jupiter’s exaggerated and enhanced false-color image of its Northern atmosphere. The photograph was taken by JunoCam from an altitude of about 21,000 km on June 23, 2023.
NASA/SwRI/MSSS/Navaneeth Krishnan S © CC BY
The data captured by Juno takes approximately 34 light-minutes to travel across space before reaching NASA’s Deep Space Network. This network consists of three large radio telescopes located in Goldstone, California, Madrid, Spain, and Canberra, Australia.
After the data was received, a team of skilled citizen scientists downloaded, assembled, stylized, and colored the raw images to produce the final visualizations.
This image showcases Jupiter as seen by NASA’s Juno spacecraft during its 52nd perijove. The image was processed by Kevin M Gill.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill © CC BY
NASA’s $1.1 billion spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin and operated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, successfully entered Jupiter’s orbit on July 4, 2016. Juno has been on an elliptical orbit since then, allowing it to make close flybys of Jupiter’s cloud tops. However, its extended mission focuses on studying Jupiter’s large Galilean moons, including Ganymede, Europa, Callisto, and Io. It currently completes an orbit around Jupiter every 32 days.
This enhanced false-color image highlights a northern circumpolar cyclone on Jupiter, captured by JunoCam on June 23, 2023.
NASA/SwRI/MSSS/Navaneeth Krishnan S © CC BY
Juno has already conducted close flybys of Ganymede in 2021 and Europa in 2022, with the latter being of particular interest to astrobiologists searching for signs of life beyond Earth. During its most recent perijove on May 17, 2023, Juno captured images of Jupiter’s moon Io from a distance of just 22,060 miles/35,500 kilometers. Io is the most volcanic object in the solar system, constantly spewing lava from its surface due to the gravitational pull from Jupiter and its other moons.
This image reveals Jupiter as seen by NASA’s Juno spacecraft during its 52nd perijove. The image was processed by Kevin M Gill.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill © CC BY
Juno’s upcoming extended mission includes two close flybys of Jupiter’s volcanic moon, Io. These flybys will bring Juno within 900 miles/1,500 km of Io on both December 30, 2023, and February 3, 2024. Meanwhile, Juno’s next perijove in July 2023 will provide more distant images of Io.
This image showcases Jupiter as seen by NASA’s Juno spacecraft during its 52nd perijove. The image was processed by Kevin M Gill.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill © CC BY
The European Space Agency’s JUICE mission, launched in April 2023, will orbit Jupiter’s moon Ganymede for nine months starting in 2034. This mission will mark the first time a spacecraft has orbited a moon other than Earth’s.
By the time the JUICE mission is underway, Juno will have succumbed to the damaging effects of Jupiter’s radioactive environment and will have executed a “death dive” into the gas giant.
May clear skies and wide eyes accompany you on your celestial journeys.
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
