Polarized Light from Jupiter
Credit: NASA/ESA/ISA/JPL · Download full size image
These images taken through the wide angle camera near closest approach in the deep near-infrared methane band, combined with filters which sense electromagnetic radiation of orthogonal polarization, show that the light from the poles is polarized. That is, the poles appear bright in one image, and dark in the other. Polarized light is most readily scattered by aerosols. These images indicate that the aerosol particles at Jupiter's poles are small and likely consist of aggregates of even smaller particles, whereas the particles at the equator and covering the Great Red Spot are larger. Posted on: 19 Mar, 2003
Latest Thoughts
A Workout for the Eyes
The Heart Beats On
War Veterans Going Blind
Invisible Hearing Aids
Horseback Therapy Helps Kids Defy All Odds
New Drug Saves Eyesight
RSS Feeds