Jupiter Looms as Juno Approaches July 4th Arrival

Juno’s view of Jupiter on June 30, 2016. Credit: NASA Eyes on the Solar System / Bob Trembley

The Juno spacecraft has been in the gravitational embrace of the planet Jupiter for a month now, and is quickly approaching the moment it will ignite its thrusters, and enter into orbit over Jupiter’s poles.

Juno beginning breaking burn to go into Jupiter orbit on July 4, 2016. Credit: NASA Eyes on the Solar System / Bob Trembley

Juno may have some very interesting things to see, if aurorae spied by the Hubble Space Telescope in recent weeks continue to swirl around Jupiter’s north pole.

Released on June 30, 2016, this image shows aurora on Jupiter;s north poles taken in far-ultraviolet. Images were taken on April 21, 2014, May 19, 2016 and June 2, 2016. Credits: NASA, ESA, and J. Nichols (University of Leicester)

Follow Juno on July 4 — Orbit Insertion Day:
Noon EDT — Pre-orbit insertion briefing at JPL
10:30 p.m. EDT — Orbit insertion and NASA TV commentary begin
1:00 a.m. EDT on July 5 — Post-orbit insertion briefing at JPL

Watch all of these events online, at:
http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv
http://www.ustream.tv/nasa
http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2

Learn more about the Juno: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno