Open AccessOn the way to Pluto, spacecraft images Jupiter system
Author(s) -
Zielinski Sarah
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2007eo200004
Subject(s) - pluto , spacecraft , jupiter (rocket family) , astrobiology , planet , new horizons , astronomy , jovian , physics , geology , saturn
Earlier this year, NASA's Pluto‐bound New Horizons spacecraft stopped off at Jupiter to use the planet's gravity to give it a boost on its journey. While there, New Horizons tested its instruments and software by imaging the Jupiter system, and these images have now reached Earth. As the spacecraft approached Jupiter, it focused its seven cameras and sensors on the planet and its four largest moons, taking nearly 700 observations in total. NASA had received about 70% of the 34 gigabits of data as of 1 May.