Io, Jupiter’s moon, is the most active volcanic body in our solar system. It has over 400 active volcanoes on its surface, so it’s a more dynamic world than we might imagine. Recently, NASA’s Juno spacecraft captured stunning images of volcanic activity on Io, including close-ups of an impressive lava lake.
Recent observations made during flybys in December 2023 and February 2024 bring new information about the satellite and reveal a new world, alien in the truest sense of the word.
The close-ups of the 200 kilometer long lava lake called Loki Patera are truly spectacular.
Interestingly, some parts of Io’s surface appear to be smooth as glass, similar to obsidian formed on Earth from rapidly cooling lava, writes Science Alert, citing specialists in charge of this mission.
The intense volcanic activity on Io is fueled by the gravitational forces of Jupiter and two other moons, Europa and Ganymede. These forces generate immense heat inside Io, leading to continuous volcanic eruptions.
Io also boasts some spectacular ultraviolet auroras, which are the most powerful in our solar system.
Scientists assume that these auroras have been lighting up space since the formation of Io, about 4.5 billion years ago, when Jupiter was the first planet to form in our solar system.
As the Juno mission progresses, further explorations of Jupiter and its moons are planned.
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