What's Cool about Galileo
What is unique about the Galileo mission?

The Galileo mission has made major advances over previous missions to Jupiter:

1. Galileo's atmospheric Probe was the first spacecraft to directly sample an outer planet atmosphere,
2. Galileo is the first orbiter of a gas giant planet,
3. Galileo had close satellite encounters hundreds of times closer than Voyager's,
4. Galileo spent 8 years of surveying the Jovian environment,
5. Galileo used instrumentation much more capable than for previous missions.
6. Galileo was the first spacecraft to collect and send back close-up images of asteroids in the asteroid belt (Gaspra and Ida).

How does learning about Jupiter help scientists understand Earth and the Solar System?

The Jovian system contains clues to much of the early history of the solar system. Advances in such fields as meteorology, geochemistry, geology and geophysics, atmospheric sciences and space physics are expected. These are all disciplines which benefit all the earth sciences and understanding both our own planet and our place in the universe.

What are the most fascinating aspects of Jupiter compared to other planets?

• Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system - ~70% the mass of all planets combined
• It has a large satellite system (28 moons at last count!)
• Jupiter has a unique ring system
• The Jovian system is home to the most volcanically active body known - Io
• Jupiter has the largest magnetosphere of any planet -- it's the largest object in the solar system!
• Jupiter's moon Europa is believed to have a liquid ocean beneath its icy cracked and frozen surface.
• Ganymede is the first moon known to have its own magnetic field.