WATCH Jupiter Storms: NASA's Captivating Images Reveal Turbulent Weather That Can Last For Centuries

Who Is Aroh Barjatya, Indian Scientist Leading NASA Mission To Study Solar Eclipse's Impact On Ionosphere?

WATCH Jupiter Storms: NASA's Captivating Images Reveal Turbulent Weather That Can Last For Centuries

International

oi-Saumya Joshi

NASA shared stunning images of Jupiter, showcasing its "stormy weather" and swirling storms in the planet's atmosphere.

The space agency shared the images on Monday, that described the storms as lasting for years, decades, or even centuries, with winds exceeding 643 kmph.

NASA's Captivating Images Reveal Turbulent Weather

The images depict blue, white, and tan clouds swirling in Jupiter's atmosphere, with clouds flowing and curving gently around each other as they etch across the planet's surface, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Who Is Aroh Barjatya, Indian Scientist Leading NASA Mission To Study Solar Eclipse's Impact On Ionosphere?

Details of the storm captured by Juno Mission:

Swirling storms on Jupiter, the fifth planet from the Sun, were captured by the "Juno Mission," a spacecraft dedicated to exploring the largest planet in our solar system.

Due to the absence of a solid surface, storms on Jupiter can endure for extended periods, ranging from years to centuries, with wind speeds surpassing 400 mph (643 kph).

Juno captured this storm within Jupiter's distinctive banded jet streams during a flyby approximately 8,000 miles (13,000 km) above the planet's cloud tops.

The turbulent jet streams, composed of ammonia and water, crisscross Jupiter's predominantly hydrogen and helium atmosphere, contributing to the dynamic weather patterns observed on the gas giant.

Juno Mission

Since its arrival in 2016, NASA's Juno spacecraft has been dedicated to exploring Jupiter's interior and origins, marking the first comprehensive study of its kind.

Juno's primary objective is to unravel the mysteries surrounding Jupiter's formation and evolution by studying its interior structure and composition. NASA aims to use these findings to gain insights into the history of our solar system and the formation of giant planets across the universe.

Juno employs a unique orbiting pattern around Jupiter to navigate safely, avoiding the hazardous radiation belts near the planet and its moons while conducting observations.

Every approximately 38 days, Juno executes close passes to Jupiter, enabling it to capture detailed images of the planet's immense clouds and powerful storms, often illuminated by lightning.

Jupiter's magnetic field interacts with charged particles, creating spectacular auroras similar to Earth's northern and southern lights but on a much larger scale. The sheer size of Jupiter, which could accommodate 1,300 Earths, is reflected in these impressive phenomena.

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Story first published: Monday, April 22, 2024, 17:43 [IST]