In anticipation of the arrival of Jupiter station "Juno"

Infrared view of Jupiter from the device VISIR, mounted on the VLT complex. Source: ESO / L. Fletcher
In anticipation of an early exit in the orbit of Jupiter apparatus "Juno", astronomers have used the facilities Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory and able to gain new breath-taking infrared images of the largest planet of the Solar System. However, these observations were not out of idle curiosity - they should help the station to coordinate their work in the first months of your stay in the orbit of Jupiter. Images were obtained using VISIR instrument on the VLT, it is assumed that before the arrival of the machine to the world they will help improve the understanding of its atmosphere.

In fact, this astronomical campaign involved in the work of several telescope, based in Hawaii and Chile, and to the work of amateur astronomers from around the world were involved. Published pictures not only give an idea of ​​Jupiter, but also show and how its atmosphere moved and changed in recent months.

Spacecraft "Juno" was launched in 2011 and to date he has flown nearly 3 billion kilometers to reach the Jovian system. This mission is unique in that it can help to overcome the limitations that imposes on observations of Jupiter the Earth's atmosphere. Because of this, it seems surprising that this observational campaign with the Earth so much attention. Here is what about this says Lee Fetcher - Head of observations:

"These images will help identify what needs to see the interplanetary station arriving in the coming months. A surveillance in different wave lengths of infrared allow us to obtain a spatial distribution of energy and material, and they are moved into the upper atmosphere. "

The preparation of such beautiful images of the planets through the turbulent Earth's atmosphere is one of the biggest challenges faced by the observers. This view of Jupiter, which we are all now estimate was made possible by a technique known as a "good frame» (lucky imaging) .With VISIR frame sequence was obtained with very little delay, all received around one thousand individual frames. Successful image - which planet was the least distorted by the Earth's atmosphere - have been merged, and all the rest is simply removed. Then successful shots were treated so that they can be folded into a single image that we can observe here.

The two sides of Jupiter. Images were obtained in false colors using the VLT in February and March 2016. Orange color data recorded in the 10.7 micrometer length and indicate the temperature distribution. Blue colors obtained at a wavelength of 8.6 micrometer and indicate the density of the clouds. Source: ESO / L.N. Fletcher
'United efforts of an international team of professional and amateur astronomers have given us an incredibly rich set of data over the past eight months. And then, with new data "Juno" from VISIR information will enable researchers to characterize the global thermal structure of Jupiter, the cloud cover and distribution of a variety of gas, "- Glenn Orton, the head of the ground observation campaign in support of" Juno. "

According to the European Southern Observatory.