Jupiter's Aurorae
by Nasa/cxc/stsci/r. Gladstone Et Al, Swri/science Photo Library
Title
Jupiter's Aurorae
Artist
Nasa/cxc/stsci/r. Gladstone Et Al, Swri/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Jupiter's aurorae, combined visible light, X-ray and UV image. The X-ray data (magenta) is from the space-based Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO). The ultraviolet (UV) data (blue) is from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), overlaid on an optical image of Jupiter (also from the HST). These aurorae are where charged particles moving in the solar wind are caught in the magnetic field surrounding Jupiter. Falling toward the magnetic north and south poles, they collide with molecules and atoms in the upper atmosphere. The atoms become energized and release the extra energy in the form of light and radiation, including X-rays. This image shows a snapshot of a single 45-minute X-ray pulse observed on 18 December 2000.
Uploaded
September 17th, 2018
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