NASA’s Juno spacecraft has captured a stunning image of lightning inside a swirling vortex on Jupiter. The image shows a green lightning bolt within one of the many vortices near Jupiter’s north pole. This discovery has left scientists intrigued as they continue to study the largest planet in our solar system and its unique features.
On Earth, lightning bolts originate from water clouds and are most commonly found near the equator. However, on Jupiter, lightning emerges from clouds formed by ammonia and water, and they occur most frequently near the planet’s poles. Understanding the occurrence of lightning and lightning-like events on Jupiter is one of the many aspects that scientists are trying to comprehend.
The Juno spacecraft, which has been observing Jupiter and its moons since 2016, captured this event during its 31st close flyby of the gas giant on December 30, 2020. The spacecraft was approximately 19,900 miles above the cloud tops when the image was taken. The final image was developed by citizen scientist Kevin M. Gill using raw data from JunoCam, an instrument on board the spacecraft.
The raw images of Jupiter and its moons taken by JunoCam are available online for anyone to process. Juno’s ongoing investigation will provide valuable insights into the largest planet in our solar system and its origins, atmosphere, and weather phenomena. As Juno’s orbit around Jupiter gradually shifts closer to the planet, the spacecraft will have more opportunities to observe lightning on the gas giant, particularly on its nightside.
In addition to studying lightning, Juno is equipped with multiple instruments that can detect beneath Jupiter’s thick cloud cover, allowing scientists to collect data on the planet’s origins, atmosphere, and weather phenomena. The spacecraft has already performed over 50 flybys of Jupiter and has made close passes by three of its largest moons: Europa, Ganymede, and Io. Io, known for its volcanic activity, will be the focus of upcoming flybys in December of this year and February of next year, providing spectacular views and valuable data.
Matthew Johnson, the acting project manager for the Juno mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, stated that the spacecraft will also navigate between some of Jupiter’s rings to gain insights into their origin and composition. This ongoing mission promises to deepen our understanding of Jupiter and its fascinating characteristics.
As we continue to explore the wonders of our universe, the Juno mission and other scientific advancements contribute to our knowledge of the solar system’s beginnings and evolution. To stay updated on such fascinating discoveries and scientific advancements, sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter and embark on a journey to explore the universe.
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00 miles (32,000 kilometers) above Jupiter’s cloud tops when it snapped the image.
The image reveals a unique insight into the storms and atmospheric conditions on Jupiter. The swirling vortex, or cyclone, where the lightning bolt was spotted is just one of the numerous vortices present near the planet’s north pole. These vortices are powerful and continue to fascinate scientists.
The occurrence of lightning on Jupiter is quite different from what we see on Earth. On our planet, lightning mainly originates from water clouds and is concentrated near the equator. However, on Jupiter, it arises from clouds formed by ammonia and water and is prevalent near the planet’s poles. This distinction raises intriguing questions about the atmospheric dynamics and composition of Jupiter.
The Juno spacecraft, a collaborative mission between NASA, the Italian Space Agency (ASI), and several other partners, has been exploring Jupiter and its moons for several years. It was launched in 2011 and arrived at Jupiter in 2016. Since then, it has been collecting invaluable data and images that have expanded our understanding of the gas giant.
The recent capture of the lightning bolt within the vortex adds to the growing knowledge of Jupiter’s unique features. Scientists are particularly interested in studying the frequency and location of lightning events on the planet. This information will help shed light on the behavior of Jupiter’s atmosphere and its underlying mechanisms.
As Juno continues its mission, scientists eagerly await more insights into the mysteries of Jupiter. The spacecraft’s next close flyby of the gas giant is scheduled for February 17, 2021. With each pass, Juno provides invaluable data and breathtaking images that contribute to our understanding of this awe-inspiring planet.
Wow, the eerie lightning captured by NASA’s Juno spacecraft on Jupiter’s North Pole is truly captivating! It’s amazing how nature never ceases to surprise us, even in space.
Wow, the Juno spacecraft never ceases to amaze! These eerie lightning captures from Jupiter’s North Pole are truly breathtaking. NASA’s continuous efforts to explore the mysteries of our universe are commendable.