Hubble Captures Vivid Auroras in Jupiter’s Atmosphere
Source: NASA
June 30, 2016
Hubble Captures Vivid Auroras in Jupiter’s Atmosphere
Astronomers are using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to study auroras — stunning light shows in a planet’s atmosphere — on the poles of the largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter. This observation program is supported by measurements made by NASA’s Juno spacecraft, currently on its way to Jupiter.
Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, is best known for its colorful storms, the most famous being the Great Red Spot. Now astronomers have focused on another beautiful feature of the planet, using Hubble's ultraviolet capabilities.
The extraordinary vivid glows shown in the new observations are known as auroras. They are created when high-energy particles enter a planet’s atmosphere near its magnetic poles and collide with atoms of gas. As well as producing beautiful images, this program aims to determine how various components of Jupiter’s auroras respond to different conditions in the solar wind, a stream of charged particles ejected from the sun.
This observation program is perfectly timed as NASA’s Juno spacecraft is currently in the solar wind near Jupiter and will enter the orbit of the planet in early July 2016. While Hubble is observing and measuring the auroras on Jupiter, Juno is measuring the properties of the solar wind itself; a perfect collaboration between a telescope and a space probe.
“These auroras are very dramatic and among the most active I have ever seen”, said Jonathan Nichols from the University of Leicester, U.K., and principal investigator of the study. “It almost seems as if Jupiter is throwing a firework party for the imminent arrival of Juno.”
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Read more: http://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/hubble-captures-vivid-auroras-in-jupiter-s-atmosphere
[font size=1]Astronomers are using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to study auroras — stunning light shows in a planet's atmosphere — on the poles of the largest planet in the solar system, Jupiter. Credits: NASA, ESA, and J. Nichols (University of Leicester)[/font]
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Source: The Guardian and agencies
Luminous beauty of Jupiter's auroras revealed by Hubble telescope
Bonnie Malkin and agencies
Saturday 2 July 2016 05.29 BST
Astronomers have used the powerful Hubble space telescope to capture images of the luminous auroras that light up the poles of Jupiter.
Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, is best known for its colourful storms, the most famous being the Great Red Spot.
Astronomers are now turning their attention to the planet’s poles and observing Jupiter daily over several months to determine how various components of its auroras respond to different conditions in the solar wind, a stream of charged particles ejected from the sun.
Auroras are created when high-energy particles enter a planet’s atmosphere near its magnetic poles and collide with atoms of gas
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/jul/02/luminous-beauty-of-jupiters-auroras-revealed-by-hubble-telescope
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