On October 8, 2024, NASA's Jovian Energetic Neutrals and Ions (JENI) instrument captured groundbreaking images of Earth's magnetosphere during the Juice mission. Managed by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, JENI detects energetic neutral atoms emitted from interactions between charged particles and Earth's atmospheric hydrogen, revealing details invisible to traditional cameras.
Matina Gkioulidou, deputy lead of JENI, remarked on the excitement within the team upon seeing the detailed images of the hot plasma ring encircling Earth. This achievement promises significant insights into future observations at Jupiter.
During a flyby of the Moon on August 19, JENI and its counterpart, the Jovian Energetic Electrons (JoEE) instrument, collected data from 465 miles (750 kilometers) above the lunar surface. These observations will enhance understanding of the interactions between Jupiter’s moons and its strong magnetosphere.
On August 20, Juice entered Earth's magnetosphere at an altitude of 37,000 miles (60,000 kilometers) above the Pacific Ocean. The instruments gathered data from lower-energy plasma before delving into the radiation belts, measuring plasma temperatures reaching millions of degrees. This data is expected to clarify the mechanisms behind plasma heating, which influences significant magnetic phenomena in space.
Pontus Brandt, principal investigator for JoEE and JENI, highlighted the richness of the data collected during the flyby, stating that the comprehensive image of the magnetosphere was an invaluable addition. Juice's trajectory is now set for a future encounter with Venus in August 2025, followed by additional flybys in September 2026 and January 2029, ultimately leading to its arrival at Jupiter in July 2031.