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Ganymede Auroral Band Oscillation

Ganymede Auroral Band Oscillation
This chart plots the excursion of a pair of auroral belts on Jupiter's moon Ganymede. Their motion provides insight into the moon's interior. Ganymede has a magnetic field produced by an iron core. Because Ganymede is close to Jupiter, it is also embedded in Jupiter's own magnetic field. When Jupiter's magnetic field changes, the aurorae on Ganymede also change, "rocking" back and forth. This amount of rocking is inhibited if the moon has a subsurface ocean. By watching the rocking motion of the two aurorae, scientists were able to determine that a large amount of saltwater exists beneath Ganymede's crust, affecting its magnetic field.
  • Release Date
    March 12, 2015
  • Science Release
    NASA’s Hubble Observations Suggest Underground Ocean on Jupiter’s Largest Moon
    Read the release
  • Credits
    NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI)

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Last Updated
Feb 17, 2025
Contact
Media

Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov

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