                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2024 May 19

                               Jupiter Diving
   Animated Video Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech, SwRI, MSSS, Gerald Eichstadt,
                                Justin Cowart

   Explanation: Take this simulated plunge and dive into the upper
   atmosphere of Jupiter, the Solar System's ruling gas giant. The awesome
   animation is based on image data from JunoCam, and the microwave
   radiometer on board the Jupiter-orbiting Juno spacecraft. Your view
   will start about 3,000 kilometers above the southern Jovian cloud tops,
   and you can track your progress on the display at the left. As altitude
   decreases, temperature increases while you dive deeper at the location
   of Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot. In fact, Juno data indicates the
   Great Red Spot, the Solar System's largest storm system, penetrates
   some 300 kilometers into the giant planet's atmosphere. For comparison,
   the deepest point for planet Earth's oceans is just under 11 kilometers
   down. Don't worry though, you'll fly back out again.

                Dive into the Universe: Random APOD Generator
                     Tomorrow's picture: aurora amazing
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

