NASA has announced that Jupiter's auroras are significantly larger than Earth, with new images from the Hubble Space Telescope showcasing these vibrant phenomena. Unlike Earth's transient auroras, Jupiter's auroras are persistent and exhibit activity hundreds of times greater.
On November 4, NASA's Juno spacecraft entered Jupiter's orbit, coinciding with Hubble's latest observations. Jonathan Nichols, a researcher from the University of Leicester, described the auroras as exceptionally striking and among the most active he has witnessed, likening the planet's display to a fireworks show.
The Hubble images reveal blue light illuminating Jupiter's poles, confirming that the auroras are influenced by solar activity and other external factors. Ongoing monitoring by Hubble will continue throughout the Juno mission, providing deeper insights into these celestial phenomena.
Jupiter, the solar system's largest planet, boasts a diameter 11 times that of Earth and a mass 300 times greater. It is well-known for its iconic Great Red Spot, a colossal storm larger than Earth itself.