The First-Ever 3D Radiation Map of Jupiter and Its Moons
Scientists have created the first-ever 3D radiation map of Jupiter and its moons using low-light cameras aboard the Juno spacecraft. These cameras have been tweaked to operate as radiation detectors, providing valuable insights into the radiation environment around one of Jupiter’s moons, Europa.
The map reveals how Jupiter’s powerful magnetosphere influences the radiation environment around Europa. This information is crucial for understanding the moon’s surface chemistry, potential habitability, and the challenges of future space missions to this icy world.
Low-Light Cameras as Radiation Detectors
The Juno spacecraft has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016, collecting data on the gas giant and its moons. The spacecraft is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, including two low-light cameras that have been repurposed to detect radiation.
These cameras are sensitive to high-energy particles, such as electrons and ions, that are present in Jupiter’s radiation belts. By measuring the intensity of these particles, scientists can create a map of the radiation environment around Jupiter and its moons.
Complementary Data from Two Cameras
The two cameras aboard the Juno spacecraft collect complementary data, allowing scientists to characterize the radiation environment across different energy levels. One camera, called JunoCam, is a visible-light camera that captures images of Jupiter and its moons. The other camera, called Stellar Reference Unit (SRU), is a navigation camera that uses stars to determine the spacecraft’s position.
Both cameras have been modified to detect radiation. JunoCam has a radiation-hardened lens that can withstand the harsh radiation environment around Jupiter. SRU has been programmed to detect high-energy particles by measuring the number of “hits” it receives from these particles.
Insights into Europa’s Radiation Environment
The 3D radiation map created by the Juno spacecraft provides valuable insights into the radiation environment around Europa. Europa is one of Jupiter’s largest moons and is believed to have a subsurface ocean of liquid water. This makes it a prime target for future space missions, as it could potentially harbor life.
However, the radiation environment around Europa is a major challenge for these missions. The moon is bombarded by high-energy particles from Jupiter’s radiation belts, which can damage spacecraft electronics and pose a risk to human health.
The 3D radiation map created by the Juno spacecraft will help scientists better understand the radiation environment around Europa and develop strategies to protect future spacecraft and astronauts. It will also provide valuable information for studying the moon’s surface chemistry and potential habitability.
Conclusion
The creation of the first-ever 3D radiation map of Jupiter and its moons using low-light cameras aboard the Juno spacecraft is a major milestone in space exploration. This map provides valuable insights into the radiation environment around Europa, one of Jupiter’s largest moons, and will help scientists better understand the challenges of future space missions to this icy world.
The data collected by both cameras aboard the Juno spacecraft complements each other, allowing scientists to characterize the radiation environment across different energy levels. This information is crucial for developing strategies to protect future spacecraft and astronauts and for studying the moon’s surface chemistry and potential habitability.
