March 29, 2024

Jupiter’s auroras arise from a magnetic ‘tug-of-war’ with volcanic eruptions on its moon Io

Orbiting Jupiter at an average range of about 262,000 miles (422,000 kilometers), Jupiters moon Io has more than 400 active volcanoes, which shoot lava lots of miles high.” These amazing results on how Jupiters aurorae work are a testimony to the power of integrating Earth-based observations from Hubble with Juno measurements,” Scott Bolton, principal investigator for NASAs Juno mission, stated in the statement.” An artists illustration of the “tug-of-war” result developed as product ejected from lo takes a trip along Jupiters magnetic field lines, back towards the planets poles, and through the worlds upper atmosphere. (Image credit: Emma Bunce/Stanley Cowley/Jonathan Nichols/University of Leicester) Jupiters quick rotation drives away most of the product ejected from lo, and as the material moves outside, its rotation rate slows.

Orbiting Jupiter at an average distance of about 262,000 miles (422,000 kilometers), Jupiters moon Io has more than 400 active volcanoes, which shoot lava lots of miles high.” An artists illustration of the “tug-of-war” effect produced as material ejected from lo takes a trip along Jupiters magnetic field lines, back towards the worlds poles, and through the planets upper environment. (Image credit: Emma Bunce/Stanley Cowley/Jonathan Nichols/University of Leicester) Jupiters fast rotation repels many of the product ejected from lo, and as the material moves outside, its rotation rate slows.