Reading Scientists Use Keck Telescope to Capture Jupiter Images for NASA
University of Reading researchers remotely operate the Keck telescope to photograph Jupiter, studying its temperature and auroras for NASA.
University of Reading Researchers Remotely Photograph Jupiter
Scientists at the University of Reading are now operating the W. M. Keck Observatory telescope remotely to capture high-resolution images of Jupiter for NASA. Previously, teams traveled to Hawaii to conduct observations, but advances in remote technology allow instant access from the university campus.
Measuring Temperature and Monitoring Auroras
Dr. James O'Donoghue, Research Associate Professor in Planetary Astronomy, explains that infrared images enable researchers to measure Jupiter's temperature and track variations in brightness. The team focuses on the planet's polar regions, where powerful auroras driven by hundreds of trillions of watts of energy create spectacular light shows.
"Monitoring these auroras helps us understand how energy flows through Jupiter's atmosphere and how the planet interacts with its surrounding space environment," he said.
Key Findings
- Infrared images reveal bright auroras at Jupiter's poles.
- Callisto transit appears as a dark disk caused by sensor saturation.
- Remote access expedites data collection and analysis.
Remote operation of the Keck telescope from the University of Reading is revolutionizing Jupiter research, enabling detailed thermal and auroral studies without travel to observatory sites.
This topic was reported by BBC.
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