by |
Khaled Younes |
Saturday 03 September 2022 – 08:00 PM
A new image taken by NASA’s Jupiter explorer Juno reveals features in the turbulent atmosphere of the solar system’s largest planet in the same colors as a human observer.
Juno captured the image on July 5, 2022, during its 43rd close flyby of Jupiter using its JunoCam instrument.
The spacecraft was 3,300 miles (5,300 km) from the tops of the gas giant clouds when the image was taken, and was hurtling at 130,000 miles per hour (209,000 kilometers per hour).
Scientist Bjorn Johnson processed the raw data from Juno to create two images. The first image shows the view as it would appear to a human observer in Juno mode. In the second image, Johnson digitally enhanced color saturation and contrast, allowing the complex structure of the planet’s atmosphere to show.
The color variations in the enhanced image reflect differences in the chemical composition of different parts of Jupiter’s atmosphere and reveal the three-dimensional nature of powerful storms circulating in the planet’s clouds. Bright “pop” clouds can also be seen in the upper atmosphere. The image captures an area at about 50 degrees north latitude.
The Juno spacecraft, which was launched in 2011, has been exploring the gas giant since 2016. It orbits the planet in a highly elliptical orbit, completing one revolution every 43 days, allowing regular dips near the planet’s circular clouds.
At its closest point to the gas giant, Juno flew about 3,100 miles (5,000 km) above Jupiter’s clouds.
Juno was originally scheduled to retire in 2021, but it will continue to operate until at least 2025.
Read also:
Al-Azhar honors the winning student for representing Egypt in the “Alexo Olympiad”
Read also:
The Board of Trustees of the International Student Education Development Center holds its first meeting under the chairmanship of the Sheikh of Al-Azhar