Check out the awesome footage which has been captured of Jupiter from NASA’s Juno Spacecraft. The footage consists of still images meticulously combined to create the spectacular two-minute video embedded below.
Mathematician Gerald Eichstaedt took still shots taken by NASA’s Juno spacecraft and spent 60 hours editing them together. As if this wasn’t enough, animator Seán Doran then spent another 12 hours smoothing each frame, all 2,400 of them, resulting in this awe-inspiring tribute to the gas giant. Time well spent.
The Mission of Juno
Juno’s mission is to measure Jupiter’s composition, gravity field, magnetic field, and polar magnetosphere. It will also search for clues about how the planet formed, including whether it has a rocky core, the amount of water present within the deep atmosphere, mass distribution, and its deep winds, which can reach speeds of 618 kilometers per hour (384 mph). This mission is crucial for understanding not only Jupiter but also the formation and evolution of our solar system.
The spacecraft was launched on August 5, 2011, and entered Jupiter’s orbit on July 5, 2016. Since then, it has been sending back invaluable data that has helped scientists make groundbreaking discoveries. For instance, Juno has provided insights into Jupiter’s auroras, which are the most powerful in the solar system, and its Great Red Spot, a gigantic storm that has been raging for centuries.
Technological Marvels and Discoveries
Juno is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments designed to study Jupiter in unprecedented detail. These include the JunoCam, which captures high-resolution images of the planet’s atmosphere, and the Microwave Radiometer, which measures the thermal radiation emitted from deep within Jupiter’s atmosphere. The spacecraft also carries a magnetometer to map Jupiter’s magnetic field and a gravity science experiment to study its gravitational field.
One of the most exciting discoveries made by Juno is the revelation that Jupiter’s atmosphere is much more complex than previously thought. The spacecraft has detected massive cyclones at the planet’s poles, some of which are as large as Earth. These cyclones are arranged in geometric patterns, a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists and sparked further research.
Another significant finding is the presence of ammonia clouds in Jupiter’s atmosphere. These clouds are thought to play a crucial role in the planet’s weather systems and could provide clues about the processes occurring deep within Jupiter.
The video created by Gerald Eichstaedt and Seán Doran is not just a visual treat but also a testament to the incredible advancements in space exploration and data visualization. By combining thousands of still images, they have managed to create a seamless and mesmerizing portrayal of Jupiter, bringing the gas giant closer to us than ever before.
Source: : Uncrate
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