A new volcano was discovered on Jupiter's moon Io, after 27 years
Photos from the Juno probe show a new volcano on Io, a moon of Jupiter. As observed through satellite monitoring, the volcanic complex has developed over the last 27 years.
5:58 PM EDT, September 22, 2024
Io is one of Jupiter's largest moons and the most volcanically active place in the Solar System. Evidence of this activity includes the formation of an entirely new volcano over the past 27 years.
In the late 1990s, Io was studied during NASA’s Galileo mission. Currently, Jupiter and its moons are being examined by the Juno probe. According to IFLScience.com, the probe's camera and infrared sensors captured several photos. Scientists discovered the new volcano on Io by comparing images taken 27 years ago with the latest ones.
The most volcanically active area in the Solar System
Currently, Io hosts hundreds of active volcanoes. Lava and volcanic deposits cover an area of approximately 12,500 square miles. The appearance of a new volcano remains particularly intriguing.
In 2023 and 2024, the Juno probe made three flybys of Io, capturing around 20 photos. Over these 27 years, new lava streams and surface deposits have appeared on the moon, which is not unexpected. However, the formation of a new volcano east of the Kanehekili formation was surprising. This new volcano has yet to be named.
JunoCam has provided scientists with a range of extremely valuable images, which are publicly accessible. This accessibility allows various scientists to engage in research based on the views captured by the Juno probe.
“JunoCam images are created by people from all walks of life, providing a way for anyone to join our science team and share in the excitement of space exploration,” said Scott Bolton, principal investigator of the Juno mission.
