Juno: Unraveling the Mysteries of Jupiter.
Juno is a NASA space probe orbiting the planet Jupiter. It was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on August 5, 2011, and entered Jupiter's orbit on July 5, 2016. Juno is the second spacecraft to orbit Jupiter, after the Galileo orbiter, which orbited from 1995 to 2003. Unlike Galileo, which was powered by nuclear power, Juno is powered by solar panels, the largest ever deployed on a spacecraft at the time of its launch.
Juno's Mission
Juno's primary mission is to investigate Jupiter's atmosphere, including its composition, structure, and dynamics. It will also study the planet's magnetic field, gravity field, and magnetosphere. Juno will also make close flybys of Jupiter's moons, including Ganymede, Europa, and Io.
Juno's Instruments
Juno carries a suite of scientific instruments that will be used to study Jupiter. These instruments include:
- JunoCam: A visible-light camera that will take high-resolution images of Jupiter's clouds and storms.
- Juno Microwave Radiometer (JRM): A microwave radiometer that will measure the composition of Jupiter's atmosphere.
- Jovian Infrared Mapper (JIRAM): An infrared spectrometer that will measure the temperature and composition of Jupiter's atmosphere.
- Magnetic Field Investigation (MAG): A magnetometer that will measure Jupiter's magnetic field.
- Gravity Science Experiment (GSE): A radiometer that will measure Jupiter's gravity field.
- Wave Investigation at Jupiter (WIJ): A radio and plasma wave detector that will study Jupiter's magnetosphere.
Since arriving at Jupiter, Juno has made a number of important discoveries, including:
- Jupiter's atmosphere is more complex than previously thought. Juno has found evidence of multiple layers of clouds, as well as cyclones and anticyclones.
- Jupiter's magnetic field is even stronger than previously thought. Juno has measured the magnetic field at Jupiter's poles to be more than 20 times stronger than Earth's magnetic field.
- Jupiter's gravity field is not uniform. Juno has found evidence of a strong gravity anomaly near Jupiter's equator.
Juno's Future
Juno is currently in an extended mission phase that will last until at least 2025. During this extended mission, Juno will continue to make close flybys of Jupiter's moons and study the planet's atmosphere, magnetic field, and gravity field in more detail.
Juno is a remarkable mission that is providing us with new insights into Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. The mission is also helping us to understand the formation and evolution of giant planets in general.