NASA’s Juno spacecraft has unveiled a new volcano on Jupiter’s moon Io, marking the first close-up observation of the moon in 25 years. This discovery, captured by JunoCam, highlights Io’s status as the most volcanic body in the Solar System, with the new volcanic feature located just south of the equator. The volcano, identified near an existing one named Kanehekili, showcases extensive lava flows and volcanic deposits over an area of 180 km by 180 km. This finding underscores the dynamic nature of Io, driven by tidal heating from Jupiter, which causes its intense volcanic activity due to the lack of an ocean to absorb the heat, unlike its sibling moons. With over 400 active volcanoes, Io’s surface is constantly reshaped by eruptions, raising questions about its volcanic history, interior composition, and the processes driving its eruptions. Juno’s ongoing mission, including several more flybys of Io until 2025, aims to shed light on these mysteries, although it will gradually move further from the moon. The JunoCam’s contribution, primarily included for public engagement, has proven its scientific value by capturing these significant volcanic changes on Io.
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