[ad_1]
NASA’s Juno spacecraft made its closest approach to Jupiter’s moon Io on December 30. According to NASA, its Juno mission achieved the closest approach to Jupiter’s moon Io, reaching an altitude of about 930 miles (1,500 km) from the Solar System’s most volcanic celestial body, the closest any spacecraft has come in 20 years. The closest flyby was made by. Juno captured the molten surface of the moon Io, the space agency said.
NASA also said that a second ultra-close flyby of Io is scheduled for February 3, 2024, in which Juno will again come within about 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) of the surface.
Taking the X, NASA wrote, “On December 30, our #JunoMission made its closest approach to Jupiter’s moon Io, flying about 930 miles (1,500 km) above the solar system’s most volcanic world. “Juno captured Io’s molten surface and will return for another look in February.”
“By combining data from this flyby with our previous observations, the Juno science team is studying how Io’s volcanism varies,” said Juno principal investigator Scott Bolton of the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas, NASA reports. Are.” The focus is on “how often they erupt, how bright and hot they are, how the shape of lava flows changes, and how Io’s activity is linked to the flow of charged particles in Jupiter’s magnetosphere.”
After flying in late February, Bolton teamed up with two Junos to investigate the source of Io’s massive volcanic activity. “With close flybys of our pair in December and February, Juno will investigate the source of Io’s immense volcanic activity, whether a magma ocean exists beneath its crust, and the importance of tidal forces from Jupiter, which constantly tug on this tortured moon. “Squeezing,” he said, according to the NASA report.
View Full Image
The space agency also said the spacecraft will conduct a series of secret tests starting in April 2024 to investigate the composition of Jupiter’s upper atmosphere using Juno’s gravity science experiment. This information is important for understanding the planet’s size and internal structure.
About Juno Mission
Juno has monitored Io remotely since the spacecraft arrived at Jupiter in 2016. Since its arrival, the Juno spacecraft has been probing beneath the dense, barred clouds that surround the giant planet, making it the first orbiter to get such a close look. Additionally, the mission also seeks answers about the planet’s origin, evolution, solar system and other giant planets in space.
Unlock a world of benefits! From informative newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and personalized newsfeeds – it’s all here, just a click away! log in now!
Catch all business news, market news, breaking news events and latest news updates on Live Mint. Check out all the latest action on Budget 2024 here. Download Mint News app to get daily market updates.
more less
Published: 03 January 2024, 10:02 am IST
[ad_2]
