All articles tagged with #juno spacecraft
NASA's Juno spacecraft has produced the clearest measurements yet of Jupiter's shape, finding its equator is about 5 miles (8 km) smaller and its poles roughly 15 miles (24 km) shorter than previously estimated. The update, drawing on 26 Juno flybys (versus six earlier data points), helps reconcile atmospheric and gravity data with interior models, and may lead textbooks to be updated about Jupiter’s size and structure.
Scientists using NASA's Juno data have found that Jupiter's moon Io is emitting hundreds of times more heat than previously estimated, mainly from localized volcanic sources, challenging the idea of a global magma ocean beneath its surface. This new understanding results from analyzing different infrared spectral data, revealing that Io's volcanoes have hot outer rings and cooler centers, which significantly increases the estimated heat flux. The findings suggest that previous models based solely on certain infrared bands may have underestimated Io's thermal output, but do not definitively rule out the existence of a magma ocean. Future missions may provide more detailed insights into Io's intense volcanism.
NASA's Juno spacecraft has for the first time detected the auroras of Jupiter's moon Callisto, completing the set of auroral signatures from all four Galilean moons, thanks to a rare shift in Jupiter's auroral oval in September 2019 that allowed clear observation.
NASA's Juno spacecraft could potentially intercept the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS as it approaches Jupiter in 2025, offering a rare opportunity to study this enigmatic object up close, which may even be artificial in origin. The mission would involve a maneuver around Jupiter to rendezvous with 3I/ATLAS, providing valuable data on its composition and nature, whether natural or possibly alien technology.
Astronomers and scientists are exploring the possibility of intercepting the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS with NASA's Juno spacecraft to study it up close, prompted by calls from Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb. However, experts point out significant technical and fuel limitations, making such a mission challenging, though observations from Mars or other spacecraft are still considered valuable. The opportunity to study this rare interstellar visitor is fleeting, with the closest approach expected in December.
Astronomers and policymakers are considering the possibility of sending NASA's Juno spacecraft to intercept the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, which is passing through our solar system at high speed. While some experts doubt the feasibility due to fuel and technical limitations, others see potential for valuable observations, especially as the object approaches perihelion near Mars. The effort highlights the rare opportunity to study an interstellar visitor up close, though significant challenges remain.
NASA successfully repaired the Juno spacecraft's camera, which was damaged by Jupiter's radiation, by using a process called annealing—heating the camera to restore its functionality from 370 million miles away.
Astronomers have detected a rare interstellar object, 3I/ATLAS, and Harvard's Avi Loeb suggests using NASA's Juno spacecraft to intercept it in 2026 to investigate its nature, possibly even testing an alien probe hypothesis, though fuel and technical feasibility remain uncertain.
Astronomer Avi Loeb suggests using NASA's Juno spacecraft to intercept and study the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, potentially providing rare insights into its nature and origin, although technical feasibility remains uncertain.
A study suggests that by applying a specific thrust, the Juno spacecraft could intercept the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS near Jupiter, allowing for close-up scientific observations and potentially extending Juno's mission beyond its planned end in March 2026.
NASA's Juno spacecraft faced radiation damage to its JunoCam camera while orbiting Jupiter. The team used a novel annealing process, heating the camera to temporarily repair radiation-induced damage, which allowed the camera to capture detailed images of Io's volcanoes just before the damage recurred. This experience offers valuable lessons for designing radiation-tolerant spacecraft and satellites.
NASA's Juno spacecraft used an innovative annealing technique to repair its JunoCam camera damaged by Jupiter's intense radiation, allowing it to capture detailed images of Io, and the lessons learned are expected to benefit future space missions and satellite design.
NASA's Juno spacecraft discovered a new type of plasma wave near Jupiter's poles, revealing unusual oscillations in the planet's magnetosphere that could enhance understanding of planetary magnetic fields and atmospheres, with implications for studying exoplanets.,
NASA's Juno spacecraft, currently in its extended mission, has captured stunning images of Jupiter's upper atmosphere during its 66th close flyby. The mission, which began in 2016, has provided valuable data about the gas giant, with citizen astronomers playing a key role in processing and sharing images. Juno's next close approach is scheduled for November 25, and the mission is expected to continue until September 2025 or until the spacecraft ceases to function.
Recent photographs from NASA's Juno spacecraft reveal that Jupiter's moon Europa, which has a magnetic field, a fragile oxygen atmosphere, and a liquid iron core, may hold secrets beneath its icy crust, sparking curiosity about the potential for discovering life beyond Earth.