NASA reveals stunning images of Jupiter and its moon by the James Webb telescope
Updated On: 16 July, 2022 03:28 PM IST | IANS
The data demonstrates Webb`s ability to track solar system targets and produce images and spectra with unprecedented detail, NASA said in a statement
Image credit: Official Twitter Handle of NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb)
After releasing stunning coloured images of thousands of galaxies in our universe, NASA has now unveiled outstanding images of Jupiter and spectra of several asteroids taken by the James Webb Space Telescope.
The data demonstrates Webb's ability to track solar system targets and produce images and spectra with unprecedented detail, the US space agency said in a statement.
New images show distinct bands that encircle Jupiter as well as the Great Red Spot, a storm big enough to swallow the Earth.
"Combined with the deep field images released the other day, these images of Jupiter demonstrate the full grasp of what Webb can observe, from the faintest, most distant observable galaxies to planets in our own cosmic backyard that you can see with the naked eye from your actual backyard," said Bryan Holler, a scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.
ADVERTISEMENT
Poll
Who will win the Punjab Elections?
In one of the images, Jupiter's moon Europa with a probable ocean below its thick icy crust is seen which is the target of NASA's forthcoming Europa Clipper mission.
"What's more, Europa's shadow can be seen to the left of the Great Red Spot. Other visible moons in these images include Thebe and Metis," the space agency said.
Also read: NASA's James Webb telescope detects water on distant planet
Scientists were especially eager 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.
Scientists will use Webb to explore the question of whether we can see plumes of material spewing out of moons like Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus.
Additionally, Webb easily captured some of Jupiter's rings. That the rings showed up in one of Webb's first solar system images is "absolutely astonishing and amazing".
Webb was designed with the requirement to track objects that move as fast as Mars, which has a maximum speed of 30 milliarcseconds per second.
Trending Stories
Latest Web Stories
Latest Photos
17 December, 2025 11:56 AM IST | IN PHOTOS: MLAs at Vidhan Bhavan during Maharashtra Legislative Council polls
Asif Ali Sayed
09 September, 2024 09:32 PM IST | IN PHOTOS: People in Mumbai celebrate Gauri Puja during Ganeshotsav
Asif Ali Sayed
09 September, 2024 09:13 PM IST | IN PHOTOS: Mumbai witnesses sunny weather as rains take a break
Asif Ali Sayed
09 September, 2024 01:53 PM IST | In Photos: Amit Shah attends Ganeshotsav 2024 festivities in Mumbai
Divya Nair
Latest Videos
ADVERTISEMENT
Mid-day Fast
Latest Headlines
03 July, 2026 05:36 PM IST | Tuhina Upadhyay
03 July, 2026 04:56 PM IST | Shachi Chaturvedi
03 July, 2026 04:55 PM IST | Oshin Fernandes
02 July, 2026 02:09 PM IST | Athulya Nambiar