NASA Juno mission reveals volcanic action on Jupiter's moon Io

1/5/2025 5:52

New data from NASA's Juno mission has shed light on the dynamic atmosphere of Jupiter and the volcanic activity on its fiery moon Io, according to the agency.

The Juno spacecraft has gathered new findings by probing beneath Jupiter's cloud-shrouded atmosphere and studying Io's surface.

The data has led to the development of a new model to better understand the fast-moving jet streams that encircle Jupiter's cyclone-covered north pole. In addition, for the first time, scientists have mapped Io's subsurface temperature profile, providing critical information about the moon's internal structure and volcanic behavior, according to findings released by mission team on Tuesday.

"As Juno's orbit takes us to new regions of Jupiter's complex system, we're getting a closer look at the immensity of energy this gas giant wields," said Scott Bolton, principal investigator of the Juno mission.

Juno was launched Aug. 5, 2011, and arrived at Jupiter on July 4, 2016, after a five-year, 1,740-million-mile journey. The mission is designed to explore the origin and evolution of Jupiter, the solar system, and giant planets across the cosmos.