Dark Volcano Active on Io
Explanation:
The surface of
Io
is changing even as we watch. The inset frame of
Jupiter's
most active moon was taken
by the robot spacecraft
Galileo in April.
Just last month the
larger image was taken. The new large black spot reveals that a
volcano named
Pillan Patera
has been erupting during the interim. A vast moonscape
roughly the size of
Arizona
has just been covered by some dark material.
What is this material?
It's composition remains unknown although it is certainly
different in color from the red material seen surrounding volcano
Pele on the upper left.
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.
