Radio image of Jupiter
![Radio image of Jupiter](/outreach//images/astronomical/images/jupiter.gif)
Of the planets in our solar system, those that have magnetic fields also have a surrounding cloud of energetic electrons. The cloud surrounding the Earth is also known as the van Allen belt. These electrons are magnetically trapped, and emit radio waves. Jupiter, the largest planet in the Solar System, has by far the most complex and energetic electron population surrounding it. This image shows the planet Jupiter itself (in red) surrounded by the disk of electrons (in blue). Because of an interaction with Amalthea, a minor moon of Jupiter, the disk thickens near the planet.
20cm ATCA 3D reconstruction by G. Dulk, Y. Leblanc and R. Sault
Additional information and images on Jupiter at radio wavelengths.
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