Scientists have solved the decades-long mystery over how Jupiter produces regular-as-clockwork auroras of X-ray light.
The X-rays are part of the gigantic planet’s bursts of visible and invisible light triggered by charged ion particles interacting with its atmosphere.
A similar phenomenon occurs on Earth, which creates the aurora borealis – also known as the Northern Lights – that is seen during the colder months in the northernmost countries.
But Jupiter’s auroras are much more powerful than Earth’s in that they release hundreds of gigawatts of energy. This energy from Jupiter’s north and south poles is so intense that it would be enough to provide power briefly for every human.
A research team, co-led by University College London (UCL) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, has finally figured out how these auroras are created after 40 years.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)