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

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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.

A photograph of Jupiter in the night sky.

See Jupiter at its best in the night sky as it nears closest point to Earth since 1963

By Joe Rao last updated

This marks a rather auspicious week, for we will see Jupiter loom as large and as bright as it ever can get from our earthly vantage point.

An illustration of Jupiter surrounded by some of its 69 moons.

China wants to probe Uranus and Jupiter with 2 spacecraft on one rocket

By Andrew Jones published

China is planning an ambitious two-for-one shot to the outer planets with a pair of spacecraft to launch for Jupiter and Uranus around 2030.

half-disc view of whiteish moon with tan lines covering it

NASA's Juno probe will peer beneath the icy crust of Jupiter's moon Europa

By Keith Cooper published

NASA's Juno probe will come closer to Europa than any spacecraft has in 20 years. Here's what Juno will investigate at the icy moon.

NASA's asteroid-smashing mission DART took an image of Jupiter and its four main moons.

NASA's DART asteroid-smashing mission spots Jupiter and its moons

By Tereza Pultarova published

NASA's asteroid smasher DART captured a photo of Jupiter and its four moons to test its autonomous navigation system that will lead it to the collision with asteroid Dimorphos next week.

stripey planet with large red spot near center

Jupiter is at its closest to Earth in 59 years, NASA says

By Robert Lea published

The solar system's most massive planet, Jupiter, will make its closest approach to Earth for 59 years on Sept. 26 even as the gas giant will be directly opposite the sun as viewed from Earth.

A size comparison of Earth and Jupiter

A change in Jupiter's orbit could make Earth even friendlier to life

By Robert Lea published

The most massive planet in the solar system, Jupiter has played a key role in shaping the inner planets and its orbit could influence how habitable our planet is.

September 11 - Moon Chases Jupiter

See the conjunction of the moon and Jupiter on Sunday (Sept. 11)

By Robert Lea last updated

Though the moon is much brighter than Jupiter from our position here on Earth, the gas giant dominates it in terms of size. The two will share a right ascension on Sunday night.