Mesmerizing new images captured by NASA’s Juno spacecraft showcase intense volcanic eruptions on Jupiter’s moon, Io, marking the second flyby in the last 22 years. With approximately 400 active volcanos, Io stands as the most volcanically active celestial body in our solar system.
Juno’s recent approach brought it within about 930 miles of Io, capturing highly detailed images on February 3 that reveal the moon partially illuminated against the vast darkness of space. The images showcase twin volcanic plumes erupting into space from Io’s surface, providing a unique perspective as the orbiter traversed predominantly over the moon’s southern hemisphere.
“There’s a lot to see in these photos,” NASA highlighted in a press release, noting the evidence of active plumes, towering mountain peaks with well-defined shadows, and lava lakes with apparent islands. While the exact composition of Io remains unknown, NASA speculates it could be composed of molten sulfur or silicate rock, with a primarily carbon dioxide atmosphere.
The recent flybys, including the one on December 30, 2023, and the latest on February 3, 2024, aim to deepen our understanding of Io’s volcanic processes and explore the possibility of a global magma ocean beneath its rocky surface.
Despite Io’s surface displaying a vivid display of volcanic activity in the images, scientists are still grappling with the mysteries of Io’s “volcanic engine” and the potential existence of a “global magma ocean” beneath its hardened exterior.
“Io is caught in a tug-of-war between Jupiter’s powerful gravity and the smaller pull from two neighboring moons, churning its insides and creating eruptions and lakes of lava that cover its surface,” explained NASA. The gravitational dynamics involving Jupiter and its moons contribute to the immense volcanic activity observed on Io.
Discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610, Jupiter’s four Galilean moons continue to captivate astronomers. Launched in 2011, Juno entered Jupiter’s orbit in 2016. Initially concluding its mission in 2021, NASA extended Juno’s mission through September 2025 to further unravel the mysteries of Jupiter’s moons, including the enigmatic Io.
