New findings from the James Webb Space Telescope have unveiled that Jupiter’s auroras are significantly more intense than those on Earth, displaying a remarkable spectacle hundreds of times brighter. This stunning phenomenon occurs due to high-energy particles from space interacting with gaseous atoms near Jupiter’s magnetic poles, creating vibrant displays similar to Earth’s northern lights.
An international team of scientists delved into the images captured by the Webb on Christmas 2023, revealing the extraordinary power of Jupiter’s auroras. These findings shed light on the immense energy at play within the solar system’s largest planet, offering a glimpse into its dynamic atmosphere and magnetic environment.
In a previous mission, the James Webb Space Telescope also provided detailed images of Neptune’s auroras, presenting them in unprecedented clarity. This comes many years after Voyager 2 first detected Neptune’s faint auroras, highlighting Webb’s advanced capability in capturing celestial events.