Jupiter showcases aurorae, hazes (NIRCam widefield view)

With giant storms, powerful winds, aurorae, and extreme temperature and pressure conditions, Jupiter has a lot going on. Now, the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has captured new images of the planet. Webb’s Jupiter observations will give scientists even more clues to Jupiter’s inner life.

In this wide-field view, Webb sees Jupiter with its faint rings, which are a million times fainter than the planet, and two tiny moons called Amalthea and Adrastea. The fuzzy spots in the lower background are likely galaxies “photobombing” this Jovian view.  

This is a composite image from Webb’s NIRCam instrument (two filters) and was acquired on 27 July 2022.

For the annotated version click here.

For the closeup click here.