NASA Reveals Dreamlike Images Of Jupiter’s Distinctly Marbled Atmosphere
Image via NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS; image processing by Gerald Eichstädt
NASA has unveiled two images of Jupiter taken by its Juno spacecraft, which has been orbiting the planet since 2016. Both pictures reveal the distinct swirls of Jupiter’s clouds.
The streaks shown are layers of haze particles floating above the clouds on Jupiter, according to NASA’s statement. The first image was taken on 17 February 2020 from 15,610 miles above, while the second was captured on 10 April 2020 from 5,375 miles up.
However, scientists are not sure what these hazes are composed of, or how they are formed. Experts speculate that the jet streams surrounding the surface might be the reason for the high hazes coming into shape.
The Juno spacecraft will continue to study Jupiter by passing over the planet’s clouds every 53 days until at least July 2020. View more raw images of Jupiter here.
The intriguing streaks in this recent view of Jupiter are hazes floating above the planet’s cloud tops. Scientists don’t know exactly how they form, at least not yet. Learn more: https://t.co/lh0GuYWc7d
— NASA's Juno Mission (@NASAJuno) April 2, 2020
📸 Image processed by Gerald Eichstädt pic.twitter.com/WqG8GnIfqg
What I saw on my last close pass by Jupiter on April 10: the complex topography of the planet’s cloud tops. Details at: https://t.co/dTmEITOFIw
— NASA's Juno Mission (@NASAJuno) April 16, 2020
📸 Image processed by Kevin M. Gill pic.twitter.com/LXUfnPWMTk
[via Space, cover image via NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS; image processing by Gerald Eichstädt]
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