Juno Spacecraft Heads To Jupiter

Soon, we might have a clear picture of what lurks beneath Jupiter’s stormy clouds. NASA’s Juno probe will depart for the gas giant on Aug. 5, seeking evidence of what lies “inside” Jupiter, according to the agency. Until now, thick clouds have kept the planet’s surface from being explored.

“Our knowledge of Jupiter is truly skin deep,” said Juno’s principal investigator, Scott Bolton in a statement. “Even the Galileo probe, which dived into the clouds in 1995, penetrated no more than about 0.2 percent of Jupiter’s radius.” Researchers want to know how deep the planet’s giant red spot goes. How much water its surface contains. and what material comprises its core. Among other things, Juno will return evidence of Jupiter’s powerful Northern lights. Unlike the Earth which responds to solar activity, Jupiter makes its own auroras. Juno won’t reach Jupiter until 2016.