Artist rendition of NASAs James Webb Space Telescope observing the paradises. (Credit: NASA GSFC/CIL/Adriana Manrique Gutierrez).
” Although Jupiter appears extremely various to Earth there is actually much we can find out about our own world by studying Jupiter,” stated Dr. Stallard. “The processes going on are very similar, but Jupiters electromagnetic field is much more powerful, and stranger. Time on the James Webb Space Telescope is uncommon– and time to study worlds within our solar system is even rarer, so to be given this chance is extremely amazing.”.
A professor from Northumbria University in the North East region of England has been approved telescope time with NASAs James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) later on this year to study Jupiters upper environment, likewise called its ionosphere. Being approved such access to JWST is incredibly competitive that makes getting access to use its powerful instruments to study the universes a very high honor.
Dr. Tom Stallard, who is a teacher in the Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering department at Northumbria University, is the only scientist who will be granted access to JWST in 2023 for observing planets within our planetary system, which will commence on September 7. He wishes to use the most effective telescope ever developed to find out how Jupiters ionosphere is affected by both the space environment above and Jupiters lower atmosphere underneath it.
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” Although Jupiter appears really different to Earth there is actually much we can learn about our own world by studying Jupiter,” stated Dr. Stallard. “The procedures going on are very comparable, however Jupiters magnetic field is much more powerful, and complete stranger. Dr. Stallards usage of JWST corresponds with when NASAs Juno spacecraft, which is presently orbiting Jupiter, will be on the opposite side of the planet and pointed at Earth. With JWST being located at the Earth-Moon L2 Lagrange Point on the opposite side of the Earths Moon and pointed at Jupiter, this suggests Dr. Stallard will have a rare opportunity to analyze images taken from both sides of Jupiter at the same time. The goal of these observations will be to get a better understanding of Jupiters atmospheric loss to space, along with acquiring a better comprehend about the development and development of exoplanets, because Jupiter is regularly utilized as an analog for studying gaseous exoplanets.
Dr. Stallard was approved access to JWST through the Space Telescope Science Institutes General Observer (GO) program, which is separated into observing cycles and permits researchers and astronomers to apply for telescope time with JWST. The GO program has been slated to incorporate most of the observation time for JWST, with Cycle 1 ranging from July 2022 to July 2023 and Cycle 2 commencing instantly afterwards.
JWST NIRCam composite image from two filters– F212N (orange) and F335M (cyan)– of Jupiter and its many functions taken in August 2022. (Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Jupiter ERS Team; image processing by Ricardo Hueso (UPV/EHU) and Judy Schmidt).
What new insights will researchers acquire about Jupiters and its ionosphere from these observations? Only time will inform, and this is why we science!
As constantly, keep doing science & & keep looking up!
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Dr. Stallards proposition, “Unveiling Jupiters upper atmosphere and constraining climatic loss from Giant Planets”, was chosen for the JWST Cycle 2 GO Program, with the entire list of approved propositions available here. For Dr. Stallards research study, his group will utilize JWST to conduct 36 observations of Jupiters climatic edge, likewise known as the limb, with 19 of those observations happening at Jupiters dawn and the rest happening at Jupiters dusk.
Dr. Stallards use of JWST corresponds with when NASAs Juno spacecraft, which is currently orbiting Jupiter, will be on the opposite side of the world and pointed at Earth. With JWST being found at the Earth-Moon L2 Lagrange Point on the opposite side of the Earths Moon and pointed at Jupiter, this means Dr. Stallard will have a rare opportunity to examine images drawn from both sides of Jupiter simultaneously. The goal of these observations will be to gain a much better understanding of Jupiters climatic loss to space, along with gaining a better understand about the development and advancement of exoplanets, given that Jupiter is often used as an analog for studying gaseous exoplanets.
Teacher Tom Stallard (Credit: Simon Veit-Wilson/Northumbria University).
” Securing access to the James Webb Space Telescope is a highly competitive process and is a testimony to the quality and timeliness of the research that Professor Stallard undertakes,” stated Dr. Louise Bracken, who is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange) at Northumbria University. “This award constructs and underlines on the existing work of our Solar and Space Physics researchers at Northumbria University and seals the North Easts credibility as a center of quality in this field.”.
While this opportunity marks the very first time Dr. Stallard will be utilizing JWST to observe Jupiter, this will not mark the very first time JWST has actually observed the largest world in the solar system, as the powerful telescope used its Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) to catch some awesome pictures of Jupiter in August 2022, including the worlds rings, auroras, and one of the irregular-shaped moons, Amalthea.
