PBS Space Time Season 2016 Episode 27 Juno to Reveal Jupiter's Violent Past

Juno to Reveal Jupiter's Violent Past is an episode from the 2016 season of the PBS Space Time series. The episode focuses on the Juno mission, NASA's latest exploration of Jupiter. The mission involved Juno spacecraft traveling to Jupiter after a five-year journey, with the aim of studying the planet's composition, magnetic field, and the nature of its magnetosphere. The episode explores the discovery of Jupiter’s past and how it has shaped the planet we see today.

The episode discusses how Jupiter's intense magnetic field has been a source of fascination for scientists, as it generates some of the strongest and most complex radiation belts in our solar system. These belts can pose a serious threat to spacecraft and can affect the habitability of nearby planets. In addition, Jupiter is thought to have formed early in the history of our solar system, and studying its composition and structure can give us insight into the early stages of our own planet's formation.

The Juno mission was launched in August 2011, and it successfully entered orbit around Jupiter in July 2016. The episode details the challenges involved in designing a spacecraft to withstand Jupiter's harsh radiation environment, and the technology used to collect data from the planet. The spacecraft is equipped with a variety of instruments, including a magnetometer, a gravity science experiment, and a microwave radiometer. These instruments allow scientists to collect data on Jupiter's magnetic field, gravitational field, and atmospheric composition.

The episode then goes on to explore the discoveries made by the Juno mission. For example, the spacecraft has revealed that Jupiter's magnetic field is much stronger than previously thought, making it one of the most powerful in the solar system. Jupiter's magnetic field is also highly dynamic, with intense waves and fluctuations that can change rapidly in both space and time. This has implications for the planet's radiation belts, which can be highly variable and unpredictable.

The Juno mission has also allowed scientists to study Jupiter's atmosphere in detail. The spacecraft's instruments have revealed that the planet's atmosphere is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, with small amounts of other gases such as methane and ammonia. Jupiter's atmosphere is highly dynamic, with massive storm systems such as the Great Red Spot and a host of smaller vortices and eddies. These storms are thought to be driven by the strong Coriolis force generated by the planet's rapid rotation.

Finally, the episode discusses what the Juno mission can teach us about the early history of our solar system. Jupiter is thought to have formed early in the history of the solar system, and its composition can give clues about the conditions that existed during this time. For example, the ratio of heavy elements to hydrogen in Jupiter's interior can tell us about the abundance of such elements in the early solar nebula. Similarly, studying Jupiter's magnetic field can give insight into how the planet formed and evolved over time.

Overall, Juno to Reveal Jupiter's Violent Past is a fascinating episode that explores the latest discoveries made by the Juno mission. The episode gives insight into the challenges involved in exploring Jupiter and the technology used to collect data from the planet. It also reveals the discoveries made, including how Jupiter's magnetic field is much stronger than originally thought and how its atmosphere is highly dynamic and complex. Finally, the episode discusses what these discoveries can teach us about the early history of our solar system and the conditions that existed during this time.