Jupiter's Volcanic Moon Io Fires Up in Infrared Image From NASA's Juno

The spacecraft takes a look at the most volcanically active world in the solar system.

Amanda Kooser
Dec. 15, 2022 5:43 p.m. PT
2 min read

Jupiter has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to moons. Among its 80 known moons is Io, which NASA describes as the most volcanically active world in the solar system. Io is about to take center stage as NASA's Jupiter-studying Juno spacecraft turns its cameras and instruments on the fiery moon.

In anticipation of capturing new Io views, NASA released a spectacular infrared image of Io that Juno snapped back in July from a distance of 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers). The brighter the color, the higher the temperature, so all those flecks show just how volcanically peppy the moon is feeling.

In a statement on Wednesday, NASA said the Juno spacecraft was set for an Io photo session on Dec. 15. We're expecting some fresh images, but they'll be just an appetizer to the main course. Juno will be heading in for closer approaches of Io in 2023 and 2024.

Juno arrived at Jupiter in 2016 and got a mission extension in 2021 for a series of flybys of some of Jupiter's most interesting moons. Io is the latest to receive attention.

More:
https://www.cnet.com/science/space/jupiters-volcanic-moon-io-fires-up-in-infrared-image-from-nasas-juno/