Jupiter's Atmosphere Radically Heated by 2017 Solar Wind Impact: Temperatures Soar

In January 2017, a significant solar wind burst impacted Jupiter, compressing its magnetic field. This compression led to intense auroras and a subsequent heatwave across a large portion of the planet. Temperatures soared to over 930 degrees Fahrenheit (500 degrees Celsius), nearly 300 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius) higher than normal. The event, observed by scientists from the University of Reading utilizing data from the Juno spacecraft and the Keck II Telescope, revealed that Jupiter's upper atmosphere is more susceptible to solar wind influence than previously understood. According to Dr. James O'Donoghue, the lead author of the study, the solar wind compressed Jupiter's magnetic shield, likening it to "squishing Jupiter's magnetic shield like a giant squash ball," creating a super-hot region that spanned half the planet. Given that Jupiter's diameter is 11 times larger than Earth's, this heated region was enormous. The scientists were surprised to see such extensive heating across Jupiter. This event provided valuable insights into how solar activity can affect planets and improve predictions of solar storms that might disrupt GPS, communications, and power grids on Earth. Researchers estimate that Jupiter experiences similar solar bursts approximately two to three times each month.