Jupiter is flatter and more squashed than we ever imagined
In short: For decades, our understanding of Jupiter’s dimensions relied on data from the 1970s. New measurements from NASA's Juno mission have revealed that the gas giant is significantly smaller and more distorted than previously believed, providing a critical calibration standard for studying planets in other star systems.
By analyzing radio occultation data from 13 flybys, scientists determined that Jupiter is approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) narrower at its equator and about 15 miles (24 kilometers) flatter at its poles. This technique involves beaming radio signals through the planet's dense atmosphere; as these signals pass through the ionosphere, gases bend and delay them. By measuring these frequency changes, researchers can calculate temperature, pressure, and electron density at various depths.
This precision matters because Jupiter’s exact radius serves as a vital calibration standard for modeling giant exoplanets across the galaxy. Previously, our measurements were based on only six radio occultation experiments conducted by the Pioneer and Voyager missions in the 1970s. The updated dimensions, published in Nature Astronomy in February 2026, allow astronomers to better interpret data from planets passing in front of distant host stars.
Beyond its shape, Juno is uncovering bizarre atmospheric mechanics. Scientists have identified "shallow lightning" originating from ammonia-water solution clouds, a distinct process from Earth's water-based lightning. Scientists also propose 'mushballs', which are slushy hailstones packed with ammonia that seize chemicals from high altitudes and transport them deep inside the world.
The mission is also peering beneath surfaces. By combining microwave radiometer data with infrared imagery, researchers found evidence of still-warm magma below the cooled crust of Io. Estimates suggest about 10% of Io's surface contains these remnants of slowly cooling lava flows, offering a window into how heat moves from the moon's deep interior to its exterior.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Science in Seconds: New Results from NASA's Juno Mission at Jupiter
- Also: NASA’s Juno Mission Gets Under Jupiter’s and Io’s Surface - NASA
- Also: NASA’s Juno Mission Redefines Size, Shape of Jupiter - NASA Science
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/space-science-in-seconds-new-results-from-nasa-s-juno-mission-at-j.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Astronomy · More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics
