Jupiter

NASA's Juno mission is exploring Jupiter from orbit, beaming back amazing photos, atmospheric data and other observations about the largest planet in our solar system. The Juno probe launched Aug. 5, 2011 and arrived in orbit around Jupiter on July 4, 2016. It is the farthest space probe ever to be powered by solar arrays. The $1.1 billion mission is expected to run through July 2021, but the science of Jupiter it returns will last a lifetime. Learn more about Juno's Jupiter discoveries here.

Related Topics: NASA, Jupiter

Latest Updates

two masked people in protective suits work at the bottom of a spacecraft

Europa Clipper instrument delays worry scientists eyeing 2024 launch

By Meghan Bartels published

NASA's bold mission to explore Jupiter's icy moon is facing tight schedules getting instruments installed and ready for the planned 2024 launch.

NASA's Juno probe captured this image of Jupiter's atmosphere and the moons Io (above) and Callisto (below) during a close flyby on Nov. 29, 2021.

Juno spacecraft snaps gorgeous photo of Jupiter's atmosphere, 2 big moons

By Andrew Jones published

A flyby of Jupiter by NASA's Juno spacecraft has delivered a stunning image of the gas giant's cloud tops and moons Callisto and Io.

NASA's Orion spacecraft looked back at Earth on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022 using a camera mounted on one of its solar arrays. The uncrewed capsule flew past the record distance from Earth set by the 1970 Apollo 13 command module two days later.

The top space stories of the week!

By Doris Elin Urrutia last updated

The Andromeda galaxy has a history of galactic "cannibalism," the James Webb Space Telescope beholds Saturn's moon Titan and Artemis 1 is officially coming back to Earth. These are some of this week's top stories.

An illustration of the night sky on Nov. 4 depicting a gibbous moon visiting Jupiter in the sky.

See the moon visit Jupiter in the sky on Friday (Nov.4)

By Robert Lea published

Skywatchers will have an excellent opportunity to spot Jupiter on Friday when the moon makes a close approach in the sky to the massive gas giant, the largest planet in the solar system.

A group of people look up at the night sky through telescopes.

The brightest planets in December's night sky: How to see them (and when)

By Joe Rao last updated

Reference Our viewing guide tells you which planets are visible in December's night sky and how you can see them.

icy moon with small geysers shooting out

NASA has a life-detecting instrument ready to fly to Europa or Enceladus

By Keith Cooper published

OWLS, the Ocean Worlds Life Surveyor, would autonomously search for life on the icy moons of the outer solar system.

half-circle view of brownish white planet

These eerie sounds made from a NASA flyby of Jupiter's moon Europa are haunting

By Andrew Jones published

An eerie new video allows us to hear what NASA's Juno spacecraft experienced as it made a flyby of Jupiter's icy moon Europa last month.

black and white image of earth and clouds

NASA asteroid surveyor snaps stunning views of Earth and moon on way to Jupiter's Trojans

By John Loeffler published

NASA's Lucy spacecraft took some amazing photos of Earth and the moon as it prepares to slingshot towards Jupiter's Trojan asteroids.

Composite images from left to right are Ganymede, a large gray moon with bright white streaks on the surface. Callisto, a dark gray moon with bright specks across the surface. Io, is an orange/yellow moon covered in volcanoes. Europa, is a light gray moon with a distinct rusty red coloration across a large portion of the surface.

Jupiter's moons: Facts about the many moons of the Jovian system

By Daisy Dobrijevic published

Reference Explore Jupiter's 57 official moons including the infamous Galilean satellites and the largest moon in the solar system, Ganymede.

irregular rock at edge of bright circle

Mars moon blocks out mighty Jupiter in rare satellite view (video)

By Keith Cooper published

The Mars Express spacecraft has witnessed a rare spectacle, spotting Mars' moon Deimos appearing to pass in front of Jupiter and its moons on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14).

a whitish orb streaked with brown

Europa Clipper may be able to spot shallow lakes that erupt icy 'lava'

By Robert Lea published

Shallow lakes of salty liquid water throughout the crust of Jupiter's moon Europa could cause cryovolcanic eruptions and plumes of icy material to burst from its surface.

two fuzzy brown circles tinged with blue

Clearest images yet of Europa and Ganymede from Earth show Jupiter's icy moons in detail

By Robert Lea last updated

Astronomers have revealed the most stunning and detailed images of Europa and Ganymede, two of Jupiter's largest moons, ever obtained from the surface of Earth.

Moon Pursues Jupiter (all night)

See the moon visit Jupiter Saturday evening (Oct. 8)

By Joe Rao published

On Saturday evening (Oct. 8), should local weather conditions permit, you'll be able to enjoy a view of a waxing gibbous moon hovering near to the "king of the planets," Jupiter.

a beige and white textured planet with the left half dark

Juno photos reveal more stunning glimpses of Jupiter's ice-covered moon Europa

By Tereza Pultarova published

Fabulous portraits of Jupiter's mysterious icy moon Europa captured by NASA's Juno mission reveals the moon, which may possibly harbor life, in unexpected colors.

NASA's Jupiter-observing mission Juno has taken its closest to date image of the gas giant's mysterious ice-covered moon Europa.

NASA's Juno spacecraft snaps its most detailed view of Jupiter's icy moon Europa

By Tereza Pultarova published

NASA's Jupiter-exploring Juno spacecraft captured its most detailed images of the ice-covered, ocean-bearing moon Europa.

raw image of jupiter moon europa

Behold! Our closest view of Jupiter's ocean moon Europa in 22 years

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA's Juno spacecraft skimmed close above the surface of icy Europa Thursday (Sept. 29), capturing a view of the crust that is just the start of our new study of this ocean world.

a grey orb partially lit against black background

Juno flies past Jupiter's icy moon Europa in 1st spacecraft visit since 2000

By Andrew Jones last updated

NASA's Juno probe is all set for a close flyby of Jupiter's icy moon Europa on Thursday (Sept. 29), which could possibly reveal tremendous new insights into Europa's crust and interior.

JunoCam

Behold this fantastic 3D animation of Jupiter's frosting-like clouds

By Jeff Spry published

New JunoCam 3D renders of Jupiter's cloud tops look like a magical fairyland.

An illustration of the night sky on Sept. 26 showing Jupiter at opposition.

See Jupiter shine during its closest approach to Earth since 1963 on Monday (Sept. 26)

By Robert Lea published

Skywatchers will get a rare opportunity to see Jupiter in its full glory when its opposition happens at the same time as its closest approach to Earth.

Astrophotography Andrew MCarthy of Arizona captured this stunning view of Jupiter by stacking 600,000 images of the planet to create his sharpest view ever.

This jaw-dropping Jupiter photo is a photographer's sharpest ever and made of 600,000 images

By Tariq Malik published

Veteran astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy of Arizona unveiled this spectacular photo of Jupiter this month on Sept. 17 after capturing his best view yet of the giant planet.