Juno and Jupiter
The Juno space probe has been observing the immediate environment of the planet Jupiter since 2016. From the start of the mission, the spacecraft focused its activities on the gas giant. This initiative has allowed scientists to make many discoveries.
Europe, the mysterious
In September, the probe approached some 412 kilometers from the surface of the moon Europa. Very precise snapshots of the grooved surface of Europa have made it possible to observe an area of 150 kilometers by 200 kilometers. The photos reveal gigantic crevices traversed by high-energy particles. The darker areas in the image probably correspond to material ejected to the surface.
In 2024, the Clipper probe will take off for Europe. The craft should provide valuable data regarding the composition of the Jovian satellite’s icy crust and atmosphere.