The Juno spacecraft has been orbiting Jupiter for almost five years (it launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 5 August 2011.). Its aim to help us understand the solar system by increasing our knowledge of Jupiter’s origin and evolution.
According to NASA, “With its suite of science instruments, Juno will investigate the existence of a solid planetary core, map Jupiter’s intense magnetic field, measure the amount of water and ammonia in the deep atmosphere, and observe the planet’s auroras.”
Taken by JunoCam imager aboard Juno spacecraft on Oct 9 2013. Credit: NASA/ JPL-Caltech/SwRI/ /MSSS/Kevin M. Gill
However, long before Juno entered Jupiter’s orbit, it flew by Earth on October 9, 2013, because it needed a gravity assist from the home planet to inrease its speed – enough to reach Jupiter. And at that time it took some images of Earth to test its camera.
These have been processed by citizen scientists Kevin M. Gill because JunoCam’s imagery is sent back to Earth and posted to the Mission Juno website, where people can download them for image processing. The processed images are subsequently posted back on the mission website. So, check out these images of the lovely place we call home.
Taken by JunoCam imager aboard Juno spacecraft on Oct 9 2013. Credit: NASA/ JPL-Caltech/SwRI/ /MSSS/Kevin M. Gill
Juno also observes Jupiter’s moons and recently sent back this awesome image of Ganymede during its recent flyby of the icy moon on June 7, 2021.
Image of Ganymede by JunoCam imager on Juno spacecraft during June 7 2021 flyby. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS
Watch video of amazing images by Juno and read more about Jupiter and its moons in Jupiter: Solar System’s Giant.
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