Juno Data Reveals Jupiter's True Dimensions
Recent measurements from NASA's Juno spacecraft indicate that Jupiter is slightly smaller and more oblate than previously estimated.
Recent data from NASA's Juno spacecraft have led scientists to revise Jupiter's dimensions, revealing the planet is slightly smaller and more oblate than earlier estimates suggested.
The study, published in Nature Astronomy, indicates that Jupiter's equatorial radius is approximately 8 kilometers narrower, and its polar radius is about 24 kilometers flatter than previously believed.
"The size of Jupiter hasn't changed, of course, but the way we measure it has," said Professor Yohai Kaspi of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.
These findings were made possible by Juno's extended mission, which allowed the spacecraft to pass behind Jupiter from Earth's perspective. This positioning enabled precise measurements of how the planet's atmosphere bends radio signals, leading to more accurate assessments of its size and shape.
The updated measurements are expected to enhance scientific models of Jupiter's interior and improve our understanding of gas giants both within and beyond our solar system.