NASA reveals 'incredible' Jupiter views taken from world's most powerful space telescope

23 August 2022, 09:02

Jupiter's tiny moons can be seen in the image.
Jupiter's tiny moons can be seen in the image. Picture: NASA

By Emma Soteriou

The world's newest and biggest space telescope has captured "incredible" Jupiter views - including its several moons and auroras.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

NASA's James Webb space telescope took the photos in July, capturing unprecedented views of Jupiter's northern and southern lights, and swirling polar haze.

The planet's auroras could be seen shining in a filter that is mapped to redder colours.

Meanwhile, the Great Red Spot - a famous storm so big it could swallow Earth - appears white.

One wide-field picture is particularly dramatic, showing the faint rings around the planet, as well as two tiny moons against a glittering background of galaxies.

Read more: NASA reveals stunning new image of Cartwheel Galaxy from world's most powerful telescope

Read more: NASA reveals 'deepest' image of universe using world's most powerful telescope

New Webb images of Jupiter highlight the planet's features
New Webb images of Jupiter highlight the planet's features. Picture: NASA

Planetary astronomer Imke de Pater, who helped lead the observation, said: "We've never seen Jupiter like this. It's all quite incredible.

"We hadn't really expected it to be this good, to be honest."

She added: "It's really remarkable that we can see details on Jupiter together with its rings, tiny satellites, and even galaxies in one image."

The fuzzy spots in the lower background of the the wide-field view are the galaxies "photobombing" Jupiter, the space agency said.

The infrared images were artificially coloured in blue, white, green, yellow and orange, according to the US-French research team, to make the features stand out.

NASA and the European Space Agency's £8.5 billion successor to the Hubble Space Telescope rocketed away at the end of last year and has been observing the cosmos in the infrared since summer - including views of the Cartwheel Galaxy and deepest parts of the universe.

Scientists hope to behold the dawn of the universe with Webb, peering all the way back to when the first stars and galaxies were forming 13.7 billion years ago.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson has called for more British apprenticeships

UK must become 'less dependent' on foreign workers by training more British apprentices, minister warns LBC

Labour has deported nearly 19,000 people since coming to power

Inside Labour's deportation flights, as 19,000 illegal migrants removed from UK since July election

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

'No exceptions, no exemptions': Trump brings in 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium as UK dragged into trade war

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

'All hell will break out': Trump says Gaza ceasefire 'should be axed' if Hamas doesn't free all hostages on Saturday

Kim Leadbeater after the bill passed its first reading in November

Assisted dying cases could go ahead without judge's approval

Kanye West

Kanye West slammed for Super Bowl advert directing viewers to site selling swastika t-shirts

Matar is accused of trying to murder Salman Rushdie

Man accused of trying to murder Salman Rushdie says 'Free Palestine' as he is led into court

Legendary strongman Geoff Capes left nearly £240,000 in his will

Legendary strongman and Olympian Geoff Capes leaves £240k in will following death aged 75

The scene in Coulter Road, Hammersmith, west London, following the death of a woman in a flat

Woman, 36, found dead after man seen trying to force his way into flat in west London

Quinn Parker

'Inhumane' NHS trust admits maternity failings as three babies die within months of each other

The Aesculapian snake can grow up to two metres in length

Europe's biggest snake 'thriving' in UK and living in people's attics, study finds

The Aurora Borealis, Or Northern Lights, Visible From Large Swath Of North America

Northern Lights to be visible across parts of UK tonight

Zhenhao Zou is accused of rape

Woman among 10 allegedly raped by Chinese PhD student in London left “angry and ashamed” after attack, court told

London, UK. 28th January, 2025. Attorney General Richard Hermer arrives in Downing Street to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting. Credit: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Alamy Live News

Labour spat as peer brands attorney general Lord Hermer 'arrogant, progressive fool' and calls for him to quit

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire

Soldier, 19, complained of 'unwelcome behaviour' from 'psychotic and possessive' boss before taking her own life

Watch the rousing Super Bowl ad directed by Michael Bay on behalf of the Secret Service

US Secret Service spends millions on recruitment film from Hollywood director Michael Bay