Explanation:
Take this simulated plunge
and dive into the upper atmosphere of Jupiter, the
Solar System's ruling gas giant.
The awesome
animation is based on image data from
JunoCam, and the microwave radiometer on board the
Jupiter-orbiting Juno spacecraft.
You're view will start about 3,000 kilometers above
the southern Jovian cloud tops, but you can track your progress
on the display at the left.
As altitude decreases, temperature increases while you
dive deeper at the location of Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot.
In fact, Juno
data indicates the Great Red Spot, the Solar System's
largest storm system,
penetrates some 300 kilometers into the giant planet's atmosphere.
For comparison, the deepest point for planet Earth's oceans
is just under 11 kilometers down.
Don't panic though, you'll
fly
back out again.
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.
