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Global Image of Io
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Global Image of Io
NASAs Galileo spacecraft acquired its highest resolution images of Jupiters moon Io on July 3, 1999 during its closest pass to Io since orbit insertion in late 1995. This color mosaic uses the near-infrared, green and violet filters (slightly more than the visible range) of the spacecrafts camera and approximates what the human eye would see. Most of Ios surface has pastel colors, punctuated by black, brown, green, orange, and red units near the active volcanic centers. A false color version of the mosaic has been created to enhance the contrast of the color variations. The improved resolution reveals small-scale color units which had not been recognized previously and which suggest that the lavas and sulfurous deposits are composed of complex mixtures. Some of the bright (whitish), high-latitude (near the top and bottom) deposits have an ethereal quality like a transparent covering of frost. Bright red areas were seen previously only as diffuse deposits. However, they are now seen to exist as both diffuse deposits and sharp linear features like fissures. Some volcanic centers have bright and colorful flows, perhaps due to flows of sulfur rather than silicate lava. In this region bright, white material can also be seen to emanate from linear rifts and cliffs. Comparison of this image to previous Galileo images reveals many changes due to the ongoing volcanic activity. North is towards the top of the picture and the sun illuminates the surface from almost directly behind the spacecraft. This illumination geometry is good for imaging color variations, but poor for imaging topographic shading. However, some topographic shading can be seen here due to the combination of relatively high resolution (1.3 kilometers or 0.8 miles per picture element) and the rugged topography over parts of Io. The image is centered at 0.3 degrees north latitude and 137.5 degrees west longitude. The resolution is 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) per picture element. The images were taken on July 3, 1999 at a range of about 130, 000 kilometers (81, 000 miles) by the Solid State Imaging (SSI) system on NASAs Galileo spacecraft during its twenty-first orbit. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California manages the Galileo mission for NASAs Office of Space Science, Washington, DC
Space Image feature a selection of NASA's incredible imagery
Media ID 635223
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Jet Propulsion Laboratory Galileo
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This stunning print captures the global image of Jupiter's moon, Io, as seen by NASA's Galileo spacecraft on July 3,1999. Taken during its closest pass to Io since orbit insertion in late 1995, this color mosaic combines near-infrared, green and violet filters to approximate what the human eye would see. The surface of Io is a mesmerizing display of pastel colors with black, brown, green, orange, and red units clustered around active volcanic centers. The enhanced resolution of this image reveals previously unrecognized small-scale color units that suggest complex mixtures within the lavas and sulfurous deposits. Ethereal bright (whitish) high-latitude deposits resembling transparent frost coverings add an otherworldly touch to the scene. Additionally, sharp linear features like fissures can be observed alongside diffuse deposits in vibrant red areas. Volcanic centers stand out with their bright and colorful flows potentially composed of sulfur rather than silicate lava. Bright white material emanates from linear rifts and cliffs in certain regions. Comparing this image to previous ones taken by Galileo shows significant changes due to ongoing volcanic activity on Io. While topographic shading is limited due to illumination coming almost directly behind the spacecraft, some rugged topography can still be discerned thanks to relatively high resolution imaging. Taken at a range of about 130,000 kilometers (81,000 miles), this snapshot showcases the awe-inspiring beauty and dynamic nature of one of Jupiter's most intriguing moons - Io.
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