Today on Galileo - June 29, 1997
The Callisto-9 encounter period ends today at approximately 9 A.M. PDT. The morning is used to complete the Io torus observation that was initiated yesterday by UVS (Ultraviolet Spectrometer) and EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer).
However, science observing does not end with the encounter period on this orbit. This orbit is designed to take the spacecraft deep into the region of the magnetosphere known as the "magnetotail." Apojove (i.e. farthest distance from Jupiter) for this orbit will be at approximately 143 Jupiter radii, or about 10.2 million kilometers (6.4 million miles). This region of the magnetotail is completely unexplored. In previous orbits, in order to expedite playback of encounter data, recorded observations were not performed. By contrast, this cruise period will contain quite a few high-time-resolution fields and particles observations as the spacecraft moves through this region of space. In addition, the spacecraft will pass through a few distant occultations. The radio science team will be measuring changes in Galileo's radio signal as it passes behind Jupiter and its satellites to characterize their atmospheres.
For more details, stay tuned to This Week on Galileo, as it returns to its regularly scheduled URL tomorrow, 30 June 1997!