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Hubble’s Ultraviolet Observations of Ganymede in 1998

Two panel image comparing Ganymede in ultraviolet wavelengths

In 1998, Hubble's Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) took these first ultraviolet (UV) images of Ganymede, which revealed a particular pattern in the observed emissions from the moon's atmosphere. The moon displays auroral bands that are somewhat similar to aurora ovals observed on Earth and other planets with magnetic fields. This was an illustrative evidence for the fact that Ganymede has a permanent magnetic field. The similarities in the ultraviolet observations were explained by the presence of molecular oxygen (O2). The differences were explained at the time by the presence of atomic oxygen (O), which produces a signal that affects one UV color more than the other.

About the Object

  • Distance
    DistanceThe physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs.
    Over 600 million kilometers away from Earth.

About the Data

  • Data Description
    Data DescriptionProposal: A description of the observations, their scientific justification, and the links to the data available in the science archive.
    Science Team: The astronomers who planned the observations and analyzed the data. "PI" refers to the Principal Investigator.

  • Instrument
    InstrumentThe science instrument used to produce the data.
    STIS
  • Object Name
    Object NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.
    Ganymede
  • Object Description
    Object DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.
    Satellite of Jupiter
  • Release Date
    July 26, 2021
  • Science Release
    Hubble Finds First Evidence of Water Vapor at Jupiter’s Moon Ganymede
    Read the release
  • Credit
    NASA, ESA, Lorenz Roth (KTH)

Downloads

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  • Medium, 2000 × 1195
    png (502.24 KB)

Related Images & Videos

Brown and cratered moon

Hubble's View of Ganymede in 1996

This image presents Jupiter's moon Ganymede as seen by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope in 1996. Located 1/2- billion miles (over 600 million kilometers) away, Hubble can follow changes on the moon and reveal other characteristics at ultraviolet and near-infrared wavelengths....

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Details

Last Updated
Mar 28, 2025
Contact
Media

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

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