NASA’s Juno spacecraft, as part of its ongoing mission to study Jupiter, has captured mesmerizing images of the gas giant’s large rotating storms. Shared by NASA on Tuesday, the images showcase two of Jupiter’s prominent storms in stunning detail. The photographs were taken by Juno’s visible-light camera, JunoCam, during its 38th perijove pass on November 29, 2021.
The images reveal intricate atmospheric details, with the spacecraft flying at an altitude of 3,815 miles (6,140 kilometers) above Jupiter’s clouds. Citizen scientist Kevin M. Gill processed the raw JunoCam data to enhance color and contrast, resulting in vibrant and detailed representations of the gas giant’s storms.
Jupiter, classified as a gas giant and twice as massive as all the planets in the solar system combined, primarily consists of hydrogen and helium. The intense pressure and temperatures in Jupiter’s atmosphere cause hydrogen gas to compress into a liquid. Scientists are still investigating whether a solid core exists at the planet’s center or if it resembles a thick, hot soup.
The Juno spacecraft continues to provide valuable insights into Jupiter’s composition, atmospheric dynamics, and magnetic field. The mission aims to enhance our understanding of the largest planet in our solar system and its complex features.
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