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Credit & Copyright: NASA,
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory,
Southwest Research Institute
Explanation:
A new spacecraft is headed for the outer Solar System.
Named New Horizons, this robotic explorer passed Jupiter last week after being
launched only in early 2006.
New Horizons is being
pulled
by Jupiter's gravity to a greater speed toward its next target:
Pluto in 2015.
During its
encounter with Jupiter,
New Horizons was able to capture new images of many
Jovian moons, Jupiter's complex and
ever-changing atmosphere, and Jupiter's
Little Red Spot,
pictured above.
Formed over the past few years from several smaller storms, Jupiter's
Little Red Spot survived
a near miss with Jupiter's better-known
Great Red Spot last year.
The above image of Jupiter covers over twice the diameter of the
Earth.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Jupiter
Publications with words: Jupiter
See also: