Hazing Jupiter
Explanation:
A dramatic mosaic of recent images from the Galileo spacecraft reveals
details of swirling clouds and
a thick stratospheric haze in the atmosphere
of Jupiter, the Solar
System's largest planet.
This false color representation is keyed to altitude -
red indicates cloud
features near the top of the gas giant's extensive atmosphere while blue
corresponds to features at depth.
North is up in the mosaic, centered at about 50 degrees northern Jovian
latitude, and the limb or edge of the planet arcs across the upper right.
The line of sight looking toward the limb emphasizes the high altitude,
red haze.
What causes the red haze?
It may well be created as energetic electrons and other charged
particles swept up by Jupiter's magnetosphere
are funneled along magnetic field lines and
bombard the atmosphere near the polar regions.
Charged magnetospheric particles can also
create Aurora.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
