WhyCosmo

  NASA 's current Juno mission has revealed unprecedented details about Jupiter's volcanic moon Io . However, more questions arise with each discovery, pushing scientists to propose dedicated missions to study this unique world. Io, the most geologically active body in the Solar System, has over 400 active volcanoes shaped by Jupiter's intense gravitational pull. This tidal force heats Io's interior, creating magma and driving its explosive volcanic eruptions. Juno captured this image of Io during Perijove 57. Juno's images of the volcanic moon are adding momentum to the calls for a mission to the moon. Is it time? Image Credit: NASA / SWRI / MSSS / Jason Perry © cc nc sa This schematic of Jupiter’s magnetic environments shows the planet’s looping magnetic field lines, Io and its plasma torus, and Io’s flux tube. Credit: John Spencer / Wikipedia CC-BY-SA3.0 with labels by the author There are now two proposed missions aimed at uncovering Io's mysteries. The ...

  In an incredible discovery, NASA's Juno spacecraft has captured an astonishing image of Jupiter's moon, Europa , showcasing apparent movement in its icy crust. This extraordinary sighting has sent ripples through the scientific community, sparking curiosity and excitement about what lies beneath Europa's frozen exterior. Europa's icy shell appears to be moving.   (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI) What is it?: Europa, Jupiter's fourth-largest moon. Location: About 417,000 miles (671,000 kilometers) from Jupiter and 500 million miles (805 million km) from the sun. It was shared on May 19, 2024. Why it's so special: Slightly smaller than Earth's moon, Europa exhibits characteristics more akin to a planet. It boasts a magnetic field, a tenuous oxygen atmosphere, and a liquid iron core. Beneath its 11-mile (18 km) thick icy shell lies a vast salty ocean, making Europa a leading contender in discovering extraterrestrial life. Recent imagery from Juno, ...