Hubble Reveals Jupiter in Ultraviolet Light
January 16, 2025
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning new image of Jupiter in ultraviolet light, revealing the planet’s complex and dynamic atmosphere in unprecedented detail.
The image, taken on January 13, 2025, shows Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot, a giant storm that has been raging for centuries. The spot appears as a bright oval in the center of the planet, surrounded by swirling clouds and faint auroras.
“This image provides a unique perspective on Jupiter’s atmosphere,” said Dr. Amy Simon, a planetary scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. “Ultraviolet light can penetrate through the clouds and reveal the structures and processes that are hidden from view in visible light.”
One of the most striking features in the image is a series of faint, thread-like structures called auroral ovals. These ovals are caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with Jupiter’s magnetic field. The particles are accelerated along the magnetic field lines and collide with atoms in the atmosphere, creating the faint glow.
The image also reveals a number of other features in Jupiter’s atmosphere, including:
- Clouds: The swirling clouds in the image are made up of ammonia ice crystals. The clouds are arranged in bands that follow Jupiter’s rotation.
- Haze: A thin layer of haze covers much of the planet’s surface. The haze is made up of fine particles of sulfur and other chemicals.
- Lightning: Tiny flashes of lightning can be seen in the image, indicating that electrical storms are common on Jupiter.
“Hubble’s ultraviolet observations provide valuable information about Jupiter’s atmosphere,” said Dr. Simon. “This image will help us to better understand the planet’s weather patterns, climate, and composition.”
The new image is part of a larger Hubble observing campaign to study Jupiter’s atmosphere. The campaign is designed to help scientists prepare for the upcoming Juno mission, which will launch in 2023 and orbit Jupiter for several years.
Juno will carry a suite of instruments that will study Jupiter’s atmosphere, magnetic field, and interior. The mission is expected to provide a wealth of new information about the planet and help us to better understand its formation and evolution.
Hubble Reveals Jupiter in Ultraviolet Light
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