NASA’s Juno spacecraft makes the first measurements of temperature below the surface of Jupiter’s moon Io. Data from two close flybys indicate significant heating in Io’s shallow subsurface, highlighting active internal energy sources beneath the moon’s crust. The observations focus on thermal conditions below the surface rather than surface temperatures alone, providing new constraints on how Io’s intense volcanism is powered and how heat is distributed near the top of the moon. The results also describe the broader character of Io’s exterior: most of the moon’s surface appears remarkably smooth, and the material covering it is reported to have very low density. By combining subsurface temperature estimates with surface properties, the measurements offer a more complete picture of the relationship between Io’s internal heating and the nature of its uppermost layers. The findings are based on Juno’s targeted passes during which the spacecraft gathers the relevant thermal data and scans conditions across much of Io.
NASA’s Juno measures subsurface temperature on Jupiter’s moon Io
NASA’s Juno spacecraft makes the first measurements of temperature below the surface of Jupiter’s moon Io. Data from two close flybys indicate significant heating in Io’s shallow subsurface, highlight...
- NASA’s Juno mission reports the first measurements of temperature below Io’s surface.
- Juno collects the thermal data during two close flybys of Io.
- The measurements show significant heating in Io’s shallow subsurface.
- Most of Io’s surface is described as remarkably smooth.
- Io’s surface material is reported to be low density.
NASA's Juno mission has provided the first measurements of the temperature below the surface of Jupiter's moon Io, revealing significant heating within the shallow subsurface of the most volcanically active world in the solar system. Collected during two close flybys, the data also show that most of Io's surface is remarkably smooth and composed of material with very low density.
1 day agoNASA’s Juno mission has provided the first measurements of the temperature below the surface of Jupiter’s moon Io, revealing significant heating within the shallow subsurface of the most volcanically active world in the solar system. Collected during two close flybys, the data also shows that most of Io’s surface is remarkably smooth and composed of […]
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