NASA's Webb Telescope reveals new details of Jupiter's auroras

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has captured new details of Jupiter's auroras, revealing that the planet's atmospheric light shows are far more dynamic and powerful than previously thought, NASA said on Monday.

The observations, made with Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) on December 25, 2023 and analyzed by a team of scientists led by Jonathan Nichols from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, showcased auroras on Jupiter that are hundreds of times brighter and more energetic than those on Earth.

Auroras occur when high-energy charged particles enter a planet's atmosphere near its magnetic poles and collide with atmospheric gases, creating vibrant light displays. While Earth's auroras, commonly known as the Northern and Southern Lights, are fueled by solar storms, Jupiter's auroras have an additional energy source: its volcanically active moon Io.

Webb's unique capabilities have provided new insights into the auroras on Jupiter. The telescope's sensitivity allows astronomers to capture fast-varying auroral features, according to NASA.

(Cover: New details of the auroras on Jupiter captured by the James Webb Space Telescope. /VCG)