Skip to main content
ad info

 
CNN.com
  spacecorner
  Editions | myCNN | Video | Audio | Headline News Brief | Feedback  

 

  Search
 
 

 
SPACE
TOP STORIES

Mir cargo vessel abandoned

John Zarrella: Lessons learned from Challenger

Last rendezvous for Mir

Beginning of the end for Mir

(MORE)

TOP STORIES

Bush signs order opening 'faith-based' charity office for business

Rescues continue 4 days after devastating India earthquake

DaimlerChrysler employees join rapidly swelling ranks of laid-off U.S. workers

Disney's GO.com is a goner

(MORE)

MARKETS
4:30pm ET, 4/16
144.70
8257.60
3.71
1394.72
10.90
879.91
 


WORLD

U.S.

POLITICS

LAW

TECHNOLOGY

ENTERTAINMENT

HEALTH

TRAVEL

FOOD

ARTS & STYLE



(MORE HEADLINES)
*
 
CNN Websites
Networks image

Jupiter turns blue before in-depth exam

jupiter aurora
Swirling bright streaks in this Jupiter aurora are the footprints of three large moons  

(CNN) -- An electric-blue aurora glows in this Hubble Space Telescope image of the atmosphere of Jupiter, released this week as the orbiting telescope and deep space probes prepare for the most extensive close-up study ever of the gas giant.

Like on Earth, the polar areas of Jupiter regularly experience auroras, which take place as electrons speed along the planet's magnetic field, exciting atmospheric gases and causing them to glow.

But the jovian light plumes exhibit some striking differences from their terrestrial counterparts. Swirling bright trails in this Jupiter aurora image reveal the footprints of three large moons.

  INTERACTIVE
Cult 3D model of
Hubble Space Telescope
 
  MESSAGE BOARD
 

Io, Ganymede and Europa are responsible for the dazzling aurora streaks. Electric currents from the satellites generate emissions that flow along Jupiter's magnetic field, bolting in and out of the planet's upper atmosphere.

The Hubble observatory snapped this ultraviolet image in November 1998. NASA astronomers, who released this picture Thursday, have been re-examining many scientific images of auroras on Jupiter in advance of the first joint spacecraft investigation of the planet. Two NASA probes begin two weeks of flyby observations of the planet late this week.

Galileo has orbited the Jupiter system for five years. The newly arrived Cassini should fly to within 6 million miles (10 million km) of Jupiter on December 30. It will receive a boost from the planet's gravity as it continues toward its final destination, Saturn.

Before it leaves the Jupiter system, it will take pictures of the planet's night-side aurora in January. At the same time, back in Earth orbit, the Hubble telescope will train its powerful lens on Jupiter's day-side aurora.



RELATED STORIES:
Jupiter's Red Spot stares down Io in new flyby pics
December 12, 2000
Space probe films cloud dance on Jupiter
November 21, 2000
Cassini captures the many faces of Jupiter
November 8, 2000
Study reveals new evidence of saltwater ocean on Europa
August 25, 2000
New revelations, riddles about solar system's most intriguing satellites
August 23, 2000

RELATED SITES:
Space Telescope Science Institute
Hubble Heritage Project
NASA
Galileo Project


Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
 Search   

Back to the top   © 2000 Cable News Network. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.