Today on Galileo - February 21, 1997
Galileo passes its closest approach to Ganymede today at 08:27 a.m. (PST). At a distance of 320,000 kilometers, only a few observations are dedicated to obtain more data of this moon. Global observations and day/dark side maps of Ganymede are taken by SSI (Sold State Imaging camera), NIMS (Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer) and PPR (Photopolarimeter-Radiometer). A final pair of observations of Europa are performed by PPR. These particular observations are performed in PPR's polarimetry mode which will result in a data set that can be used to get more information on the texture and light scattering properties of Europa's surface.
Several observations are performed to continue to monitor Io's volcanic activity. Observations of Jupiter's While Ovals as well as another set of North-South strip observations are also performed throughout the day. The first of the Callisto observations for this orbit is performed at the end of the day. It is a global color observation performed by SSI.
During the day, starting about 7 a.m. PST, the Galileo team transmit the set of commands that will instruct the spacecraft through the first half of the cruise/playback period. This set of commands will begin to execute tomorrow evening.