Background on Jupiter Quest
Jupiter:
Jupiter is one of the most studied astronomical objects. As the largest planet in our solar system, it has more than twice the mass of all the other planets combined—318 times the mass of Earth alone. As one of the brightest objects in the night sky, it has drawn the attention of observers since before there was knowledge of the existence of planets.
In 1610, Galileo first examined Jupiter with a telescope and discovered four of its moons. Since, thousands of astronomers have studied the mysterious planet. Radio emissions from Jupiter were detected by scientists in the 1950s, revealing its immense magnetic field, where trapped electrons and protons spiraled back and forth, producing radio waves called synchrotron emission.
Milestones In Jupiter Exploration:
Milestones In Jupiter Exploration:![]()
Voyager Missions
In 1979, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 flew by Jupiter, providing the first close-up images and data
from Jupiter.
from Jupiter.
Galileo Mission
Between 1995 and 2003, the Galileo spacecraft orbited Jupiter, studying its atmosphere and
returning a continuous stream of data about the planet and the Jovian system.
returning a continuous stream of data about the planet and the Jovian system.
Ulysses Mission
Ulysses used Jupiter's enormous gravitational pull to assist in changing its trajectory into orbit
over the Sun's poles.
over the Sun's poles.
Cassini Mission
In 2000, Cassini collected additional data as it passed by Jupiter on its way to Saturn.
Juno Mission
Launched in 2011 and arriving at Jupiter in 2016, Juno maps the planet's magnetic and gravitational fields, and measures the potential solid core. In monitoring radiometers, Juno exposes the planet's water and oxygen abundance as well as the atmospheric dynamics. Juno is the first mission to fly over Jupiter's poles, capturing images of the auroras and mapping the synchrotron emission from the radiation belts. GAVRT supports the mission by providing ground-based observations that offer context for Juno’s data and enhancing overall knowledge of Jupiter.
Jupiters Mysteries:
Despite extensive research, Jupiter still remains a mystery in many ways. It has more than 60 moons and several rings; scientists have plotted the orbits of the moons and studied the rings, revealing the unique characteristics of each. Notable discoveries on Jupiter include: