Data collected by the Microwave Radiometer (MWR) instrument aboard NASA’s Juno spacecraft has provided a new look at the internal thermal activity of Jupiter’s moon, Io. By utilizing low-frequency microwave channels, the instrument is capable of peering between 6 and 20 feet (2 to 6 meters) below the lunar surface, offering insights that traditional infrared surface temperature measurements cannot provide.
The resulting map highlights significant thermal anomalies, particularly a prominent red-colored region located between 60 and 120 degrees west longitude. In this area, subsurface temperatures are 18 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 20 degrees Celsius) warmer than the surrounding crust. This heat signature aligns with the Zal Montes Patera complex, a site previously identified as having active lava flows. A second major area of subsurface heat was detected near the equator, spanning 0 to 50 degrees west longitude.
Beyond these intense hotspots, the data shows a gradient of cooler temperatures. Regions depicted in yellow represent intermediate temperatures, reaching approximately -190°F (-123°C) near the equator. The coolest subsurface temperatures, shown in green, are concentrated toward the northern latitudes, where readings drop to roughly -298°F (-183°C) near the pole.
The Juno mission is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Southwest Research Institute. The spacecraft, built and operated by Lockheed Martin Space, is part of the agency's New Frontiers Program.
Source: NASA
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