Galileo (Spacecraft and Satellite Navigation)

The moon Io was confirmed to have extensive volcanic activity that is 100 times greater than that found on Earth. The heat and frequency of eruptions are reminiscent of early Earth.

Complex plasma interactions in Io’s atmosphere create immense electrical currents which couple to Jupiter’s atmosphere. HP G62-130ET Battery

Several lines of evidence from Galileo support the theory that liquid oceans exist under Europa’s icy surface.

Ganymede possesses its own, substantial magnetic field – the first satellite known to have one. HP G62-130EV Battery

Galileo magnetic data provide evidence that Europa, Ganymede and Callisto have a liquid-saltwater layer under the visible surface.

Evidence exists that Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto all have a thin atmospheric layer known as a ’surface-bound exosphere’. HP G62-130SD Battery

Jupiter’s ring system is formed by dust kicked up as interplanetary meteoroids smash into the planet’s four small inner moons. The outermost ring is actually two rings, one embedded with the other. There is probably a separate ring along Amalthea’s orbit, as well. HP G62-130SL Battery

The Galileo spacecraft identified the global structure and dynamics of a giant planet’s magnetosphere.

[edit]Other science conducted by Galileo

[edit]The Galileo star scannerHP G62-134CA Battery

The star scanner was a small optical telescope used to provide the spacecraft with an absolute attitude reference. It was also able serendipitously to make scientific discoveries.[38] In the prime mission, it was found that the star scanner was able to detect high energy particles as a noise signal. HP G62-135EV BatteryThese data were eventually calibrated to show the particles were predominantly > 2 MeV electrons that were trapped in the Jovian magnetic belts.

A second discovery occurred in 2000. The star scanner was observing a set of stars which included the second magnitude star Delta Velorum.HP G62-140EL BatteryAt one point, this star dimmed for 8 hours below the star scanner’s detection threshold. Subsequent analysis of Galileo data and work by amateur and professional astronomers showed that Delta Velorum is the brightest known eclipsing binary, brighter at maximum than even Algol. HP G62-140EQ Battery [39] It has a primary period of 45 days and the dimming is just visible with the naked eye.