With giant solar panels, strong winds, polar ice, extreme temperatures and pressures, Jupiter is truly a unique planet in the Solar System. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has taken new photos of the giant planet. The images have given scientists even more insight into Jupiter’s interior.
“To be honest, we really didn’t expect the photos to turn out so well. “It’s really a remarkable case that we see Jupiter in detail with its rings, dwarf moons and even galaxies in one photo,” says planetary scientist Imke de Pater.
Two new images were captured by the telescope’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam). We can see the details of the planet thanks to its three specialized infrared filters. Since infrared light is invisible to the human eye, this light was converted into the visible spectrum. In general, the longest wavelengths appear redder and the shortest wavelengths appear bluer.
The image of Jupiter is composed of several composite photos taken by Webb. The trial can be seen on both poles. The Great Red Spot—a famous storm that could fit several Earths—is visible in white. Other clouds also appear white because they reflect more sunlight.
In a wider-angle view, Jupiter appears with rings that are a million times fainter than the planet itself; Two crescent moons, Amalthea and Adrasthea, are also visible. The dim spots in the background below are galaxies.
Prepared from NASA.GOV
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