This Week on Galileo
August 2-8, 1999
The Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer returns two observations this week. The first contains measurements which will allow scientists to construct the highest resolution near-infrared spectral map of Io made to date by the Near-Infrared Mapping Spectrometer team. The second observation contains high resolution spectral data of Callisto's surface. These spectral measurements will also allow scientists to identify and study the various materials found on the surfaces of these bodies.
The Photopolarimeter Radiometer returns one observation this week. The observation was designed to take a high resolution look at a region near Callisto's equator, and contains measurements of surface brightness temperatures. The temperature measurements will provide information about the density and composition of surface materials.
The Solid-State Imaging camera returns several observations this week. The first contains a series of images which will be combined with images to be taken later this year to produce stereo views of Io's surface. The resulting stereo images are expected to have a resolution of 1.4 kilometers (0.87 miles) per picture element. The next several observations returned by the camera team are part of a campaign to monitor Io's plume activity. These observations will allow scientists to compare Io's volcanic activity with magnetosphere measurements made by the Fields and Particles instruments. In addition, the information will be used by science planners during preparation for two close flybys of Io later this year. The camera's final observation of Io occurs while the Jovian moon is in eclipse, just before it emerges from Jupiter's shadow. The observation was designed to gather data on a cloud of sodium with neutral electrical charge that has been found in the vicinity of Io's orbit. The measurements will help scientists identify the source(s) of the cloud. The final observation by the camera team consists of several high resolution images of dark material found near a ringed structure on Callisto's surface. The information contained in the images will allow scientists to study variations in the appearance of Callisto's surface in hopes of understanding the processes that modify the surface.
Stay tuned! Galileo's next encounter is rapidly approaching.
For more information on the Galileo spacecraft and its mission to Jupiter, please visit the Galileo home page.
Return to Project Galileo Homepage
| Comments and suggestions about this website may be directed to gllbug@jplpio.jpl.nasa.gov Last updated: July 30, 1999 |
 |