A solar-powered spacecraft called Juno is on track to reach Jupiter on July 4.
NASA’s mission to Jupiter left earth in August 2011. This week, the space agency fired up the spacecraft’s rockets to adjust its course to make sure the probe arrives at our solar system’s largest planet on target.
University of Arizona planetary science professor William Hubbard is among the scientists on the Juno mission. Hubbard will study Jupiter’s gravity and magnetic fields to reveal the planet’s deep structure. Jupiter is surrounded by a deep layer of clouds.
The Juno spacecraft will orbit Jupiter 33 times, traveling within 3,100 miles of the planet’s cloud tops every two weeks.
The mission’s name comes from Greek and Roman mythology. The god Jupiter drew clouds around himself to hide his mischief and his wife, the goddess Juno, was able to peer through the clouds and reveal Jupiter’s true nature.
NASA plans a final course adjustment for Juno in late May.