Juno recently sent back some of its most striking images of Jupiter yet. On Oct. 23, the NASA spacecraft completed its 66th flyby of the gas giant, capturing breathtaking photos and sending them back to Earth at a modest 0.0003 Mbps.
NASA launched Juno on Aug. 5, 2011. The spacecraft entered a polar orbit around Jupiter on July 4, 2016, becoming the first probe to fly over the planet’s poles. Alongside its Jupiter observations, Juno has also recorded close encounters with three of the gas giant’s four largest moons.
The mission has provided astronomers with valuable insights into Jupiter’s composition, gravity, magnetic field, and magnetosphere. It’s also revealed surprising details about its auroras, atmosphere, and internal structure, which is apparently more complex and turbulent than previously believed.
Originally set to conclude in 2018, Juno’s mission has been extended several times. However, the spacecraft is beginning to show signs of radiation damage, including issues with its camera, the JunoCam, which captured these images.
Notably, Juno’s images aren’t processed by a dedicated NASA team. Instead, amateurs download raw data, process the images, and upload them to a mission website.
During a recent flyby, Juno passed close to Amalthea, Jupiter’s fifth moon. Amalthea, the reddest object in the solar system, is known for its potato shape and intense red color. With a radius of just 52.2 miles, it’s significantly smaller than Earth’s moon.
On Sept. 15, 2025, Juno will conclude its mission by descending into Jupiter’s atmosphere during its 76th flyby. This planned destruction will prevent the spacecraft from potentially contaminating one of Jupiter’s moons, such as Europa, which may support microbial life.
Two new missions are set to carry on Juno’s work. The European Space Agency’s Juice, launched in 2023, is scheduled to reach Jupiter in 2031. Meanwhile, NASA’s Europa Clipper, launched in October, is expected to arrive at Jupiter in 2030 to study the potential habitability of the ocean beneath Europa’s ice.
Images | NASA-JPL
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