7/13/2023 0 Comments Jupiter under telescope![]() ![]() That the rings showed up in one of Webb’s first solar system images is “absolutely astonishing and amazing,” Milam said. In addition, Webb easily captured some of Jupiter’s rings, which especially stand out in the NIRcam long-wavelength filter image. “I think that’s just one of the coolest things that we’ll be able to do with this telescope in the solar system,” Milam said. Webb may even be able to see the signatures of plumes depositing material on the surface of Europa. Researchers will use Webb to explore the tantalizing question of whether we can see plumes of material spewing out of moons like Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Scientists were especially enthusiastic to see these images because they are proof that Webb can observe the satellites and rings near bright solar system objects such as Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. Jupiter and some of its moons are seen through NIRCam’s 3.23 micron filter. Because of the way Webb’s infrared image was processed, the iconic spot appears white in this image. A view from the NIRCam instrument’s short-wavelength filter shows distinct bands that encircle the planet as well as the Great Red Spot, a storm big enough to swallow the Earth. Webb’s ability to track solar system targets and produce images and spectra with unprecedented detail is demonstrated in the data.įans of Jupiter will recognize some familiar features of our solar system’s gigantic planet in these images seen through Webb’s infrared gaze. They were captured to test the telescope’s instruments before science operations officially began July 12. The data includes images of Jupiter and images and spectra of several asteroids. Stansberry (STScI)Īfter the recent release of the first images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, data from the telescope’s commissioning period is now being released on the Space Telescope Science Institute’s Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes. Jupiter, center, and its moon Europa, left, are seen through the James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam instrument 2.12 micron filter. ![]()
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