Novel spots found on Jupiter

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Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet image of the northern pole of Jupiter. Among many other auroral structures the Io footprint is the most equator-ward feature close to the centre of the image. This spot is always located close to the feet of the mag ...
Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet image of the northern pole of Jupiter. Among many other auroral structures, the Io footprint is the most equator-ward feature close to the centre of the image. This spot is always located close to the feet of the magnetic field lines connected to the satellite Io. Credit: LPAP/Université de Liège

Scientists have observed unexpected luminous spots on Jupiter caused by its moon Io. Besides displaying the most spectacular volcanic activity in the solar system, Io causes auroras on its mother planet that are similar to the Northern Lights on Earth. The auroral emissions linked to the volcanic moon are called the Io footprint.


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