Juno’s instrument package conists of 29 individual instruments that will gather unprecedented data when Juno orbits Jupiter. 8 of those instruments are dedicated to science. 1 of the instruments, JunoCam, will take images of Jupiter for educational purposes.
Science will begin within 3 hours of closest approach to Jupiter. Calibration of the science instruments will be needed occasionally and will be remote controlled from earth.
Science will begin within 3 hours of closest approach to Jupiter. Calibration of the science instruments will be needed occasionally and will be remote controlled from earth.
Source: NASA
Science Instruments
Gravity Science
This Experiment will study the gravitational field of Jupiter thus revealing its internal structure. Two radio transponders on the outside of the Spacecraft will receive signals from earth and immediately send signals back to earth. Those signals are measured and changes in frequency will indicate that the velocity of juno was changed due to the gravitational field of the Planet. Those changes in velocity will unveil different gravitational conditions that will piont to Jupiter’s internal composition.
Magnetometer
This scientific sensor package will study Jupiter’s magnetic field and create a map of it. The Magnetomer is located at the end of one of the three solar panels of Juno. This is done to avoid the instruments from making false readings due to the magnetic field of the spacecraft itself. The magnetometer will determine the strength and direction of Jupiter’s magnetic field. In order to make exact readings, the magnetometer’s orientation has to be tracked. For that an Advanced Stellar Compass will track stars to provide attitude information. Two magnetometer sensors are in use on Juno to ensure that Juno’s magnetic field is not impacting readings. One of the sensors is 33 feet, the other is 39 feet away from the spacecraft’s center. Measurements of both sensors will be compared in order to isolate Juno’s magnetic field from Jupiter’s.
The magnetometer Payload was provided by NASA’s Marshall Spaceflight Center. The Advanced Stellar Compass was designed and built by the Danish Technical University.
This Experiment will study the gravitational field of Jupiter thus revealing its internal structure. Two radio transponders on the outside of the Spacecraft will receive signals from earth and immediately send signals back to earth. Those signals are measured and changes in frequency will indicate that the velocity of juno was changed due to the gravitational field of the Planet. Those changes in velocity will unveil different gravitational conditions that will piont to Jupiter’s internal composition.
Magnetometer
This scientific sensor package will study Jupiter’s magnetic field and create a map of it. The Magnetomer is located at the end of one of the three solar panels of Juno. This is done to avoid the instruments from making false readings due to the magnetic field of the spacecraft itself. The magnetometer will determine the strength and direction of Jupiter’s magnetic field. In order to make exact readings, the magnetometer’s orientation has to be tracked. For that an Advanced Stellar Compass will track stars to provide attitude information. Two magnetometer sensors are in use on Juno to ensure that Juno’s magnetic field is not impacting readings. One of the sensors is 33 feet, the other is 39 feet away from the spacecraft’s center. Measurements of both sensors will be compared in order to isolate Juno’s magnetic field from Jupiter’s.
The magnetometer Payload was provided by NASA’s Marshall Spaceflight Center. The Advanced Stellar Compass was designed and built by the Danish Technical University.
 Source: NASA Juno Press Kit |
Two identically mounted magnetometers are scanning the same areas of the planet and relay data to a processor that compares both data sets and is able to identify wether gravity of the Juno Spacecraft is influencing the readings. With both data collection, Juno's gravitational field can be isolated and exact data can be acquired. |
Microwave Radiometer (MWR)
The MWR instruments will ‘look’ beneath Jupiter’s thick clouds to provide data on structure, atmospheric movement and chemical composition to a depth of up to 342 miles below the cloud cover.
The instument consists of 6 individual radiometers that will measure microwaves that are emitted from six different cloud levels. A three dimensional map of Jupiter’s radiation belts can be developed by radiometer data. The payload was provided by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California.
Jupiter Energetic Particle Detector Instrument (JEDI)
Energetic Particles move through space and interact with Jupiter’s magnetic field. JEDI will measure this kind of interaction. Three sensor packages are included in the JEDI Payload, each has six ion and six electron detectors. It works in coordination with Juno’s Wave and JADE instruments. It investigates Jupiter’s polar regions and associated northern and southern auroral lights. JEDI was provided by the Johns Hopkins University.
The MWR instruments will ‘look’ beneath Jupiter’s thick clouds to provide data on structure, atmospheric movement and chemical composition to a depth of up to 342 miles below the cloud cover.
The instument consists of 6 individual radiometers that will measure microwaves that are emitted from six different cloud levels. A three dimensional map of Jupiter’s radiation belts can be developed by radiometer data. The payload was provided by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California.
Jupiter Energetic Particle Detector Instrument (JEDI)
Energetic Particles move through space and interact with Jupiter’s magnetic field. JEDI will measure this kind of interaction. Three sensor packages are included in the JEDI Payload, each has six ion and six electron detectors. It works in coordination with Juno’s Wave and JADE instruments. It investigates Jupiter’s polar regions and associated northern and southern auroral lights. JEDI was provided by the Johns Hopkins University.
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Jovian Auroral Distribution Experiment (JADE)
JADE will cooperate with other instruments on Juno and investigate the processes that are behind Jupiter’s impressive auroras. Four sensors will identify electrons and positively charged hydrogen, helium, oxygen and sulfur ions that surround the vehicle. When Juno’s orbit is aligned with Jupiter’s aurora, the instrument will determine which particles are coming down Jupiter’s magnetic field and crash into the atmosphere, producing the auroras. The Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio built JADE. |
 Photo: NASA Hubble Space Telescope Jupiter's Powerful Auroral Lights
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Waves
This instrument will be investigating radio and plasma waves in Jupiter’s magnetosphere providing insight in interactions between the magnetosphere, the atmosphere and the magnetic field. A V-shaped antenna will pick up any magnetic and plasma waves. The magnetic portion of the antenna consists of a coiled wire that is wrapped 10,000 times around a core. It measures magnetic fluctuations in the audio frequency range. Waves was designed and built at the University of Iowa.
Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVS)
UVS will create images of Jupiter’s aurora in ultraviolet light. It will help to understand the relationship between the auroras, the particles that cause them and the magnetosphere as a whole. For that, UVS cooperates with the JEDI and JADE instruments. The UVA instrument consists of two separate portions, a telescope assembly that will focus collected light into a spectograph for analyses. An electronics box will control the instrument and receive data that is gathered by the sensors. The Southwest Research Institude in San Antonio was in charge of designing and building the UVS.
Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper
This instrument will also focus on Jupiter’s massive auroras. It will study atmospheric conditions in and around the aurora to provide information about the interactions between the aurora itself, the magnetic field and the magnetosphere. It will be able to determine atmospheric conditions down to 30 to 45 miles below Jupiter’s dense cloud cover. A spectrometer will split light into its component wavelenghts to gain knowledge on elements that are located in Jupiter’s magnetosphere. An infrared camera will take pictures to analyze heat radiation/emission. The instrument was designed and built in Italy.
This instrument will be investigating radio and plasma waves in Jupiter’s magnetosphere providing insight in interactions between the magnetosphere, the atmosphere and the magnetic field. A V-shaped antenna will pick up any magnetic and plasma waves. The magnetic portion of the antenna consists of a coiled wire that is wrapped 10,000 times around a core. It measures magnetic fluctuations in the audio frequency range. Waves was designed and built at the University of Iowa.
Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVS)
UVS will create images of Jupiter’s aurora in ultraviolet light. It will help to understand the relationship between the auroras, the particles that cause them and the magnetosphere as a whole. For that, UVS cooperates with the JEDI and JADE instruments. The UVA instrument consists of two separate portions, a telescope assembly that will focus collected light into a spectograph for analyses. An electronics box will control the instrument and receive data that is gathered by the sensors. The Southwest Research Institude in San Antonio was in charge of designing and building the UVS.
Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper
This instrument will also focus on Jupiter’s massive auroras. It will study atmospheric conditions in and around the aurora to provide information about the interactions between the aurora itself, the magnetic field and the magnetosphere. It will be able to determine atmospheric conditions down to 30 to 45 miles below Jupiter’s dense cloud cover. A spectrometer will split light into its component wavelenghts to gain knowledge on elements that are located in Jupiter’s magnetosphere. An infrared camera will take pictures to analyze heat radiation/emission. The instrument was designed and built in Italy.
Source: NASA juno Press Kit
 Photo: NASA |
JunoCam
Juno Cam will take color pictures of Jupiter’s cloud cover in visible light. It will provide a wide angle view of Jupiter’s poles and cloud tops. JunoCam is a full-color camera and a part of the Juno Outreach Program. The public will be involved in developing the images from raw data and they will identify areas of jupiter that should be imaged. JunoCam will take images when the spacecraft is particularly close to the planet providing a maximum resolution of 1 to 2 miles per pixel. It is expected to provide new views of Jupiter’s atmosphere once JunoCam is active. JunoCam is provided by Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego. |
Juno Science Objectives
The primary objective of the Juno Mission is to understand the origin of Jupiter as well as its evolution. Many secrets lie beneath the thick cloud cover of the Gas Giant that could give insight in the solar system’s formation. The study will also provide information on planetary systems that could apply to systems other than our solar system. With its intrument package, Juno will determine if Jupiter has a solid core, it will map the intense magnetic field of the planet, measure chemical composition and observe the planet’s aurora. It will investigate the role giant planets play in a solar system and in what way they influence such a system.
Juno will measure the amount of water and ammonia in Jupiter’s atmosphere, because of Jupiter’s giant mass, it was likely able to hold onto its original composition that may give insight in the early stages of the solar system’s development. Juno will reveal the planet’s interior structure and measure the mass of the core with its Gravity Sensor Experiment.
Another mission objective is the investigation of Jupiter’s Atmosphere. Juno will be the first spacecraft that can look below the first layer of clouds. It will determine the general structure of the planet’s atmosphere and motions that occur below the clouds such as winds of up to 370mph. Juno will record several atmospheric factors such as atmospherical variations, temperature, clouds and movements.
The next goal of Juno is to map Jupiter’s massive magnetic field. Pressures inside Jupiter’s atmoshphere are much, much higher than here on earth. That causes gaesous Hydrogen to turn into a fluid that is called metallic Hydrogen because it acts like an electrically conducting metal. This powerful magnetic field creates the brightest auroras in our solar system. Juno will sample the particles that are streaming through Jupiter’s magnetic field and crash into its atmosphere causing the auroras. The auroras will also be monitored under ultraviolet light.
Juno will measure the amount of water and ammonia in Jupiter’s atmosphere, because of Jupiter’s giant mass, it was likely able to hold onto its original composition that may give insight in the early stages of the solar system’s development. Juno will reveal the planet’s interior structure and measure the mass of the core with its Gravity Sensor Experiment.
Another mission objective is the investigation of Jupiter’s Atmosphere. Juno will be the first spacecraft that can look below the first layer of clouds. It will determine the general structure of the planet’s atmosphere and motions that occur below the clouds such as winds of up to 370mph. Juno will record several atmospheric factors such as atmospherical variations, temperature, clouds and movements.
The next goal of Juno is to map Jupiter’s massive magnetic field. Pressures inside Jupiter’s atmoshphere are much, much higher than here on earth. That causes gaesous Hydrogen to turn into a fluid that is called metallic Hydrogen because it acts like an electrically conducting metal. This powerful magnetic field creates the brightest auroras in our solar system. Juno will sample the particles that are streaming through Jupiter’s magnetic field and crash into its atmosphere causing the auroras. The auroras will also be monitored under ultraviolet light.
