Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is poised to delve into the captivating light displays of auroras on the gas giants Uranus and Saturn.
Two teams of astronomers from the University of Leicester will utilize the $10-billion space telescope to study the auroras over Saturn and Uranus, aiming to deepen our understanding of the processes behind these mesmerizing phenomena.
Henrik Melin, leading the Uranus investigation, expresses excitement over the JWST's role in transforming our perception of the universe, from the solar system to the earliest galaxies.
Auroras, also known as Northern and Southern Lights on Earth, are caused by charged particles from the sun's solar wind interacting with a planet's magnetic field and atmosphere. Less is known about auroras on other planets, making these studies crucial for advancing our knowledge.
Uranus, an ice giant tilted on its side, presents unique challenges and opportunities for study. Recent discoveries of infrared auroras around Uranus have spurred interest in understanding its auroral emissions and their impact on the planet's temperature.
The JWST will capture images of Uranus over a single day, allowing researchers to map auroral emissions across the planet's magnetic field. By analyzing interactions between Uranus' magnetic field and solar wind, scientists hope to uncover the origins of its auroras.
Another project led by Luke Moore of Boston University will focus on Saturn's northern auroral region. Observations over a full Saturnian day will provide insights into the sources of charged particles driving its auroras.
Both studies will utilize the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) instrument onboard the JWST, known for its high sensitivity and ability to capture detailed images of celestial phenomena.
Insights gained from studying auroras on Uranus and Saturn may have implications for understanding exoplanets, particularly those similar in size to Neptune and Uranus. By analyzing auroras, astronomers can make predictions about the atmospheres and magnetic fields of exoplanets, advancing our search for habitable worlds beyond our solar system.