Mapping Jupiter’s Skies: A Full-Atmosphere Model
Antonín Knížek and colleagues built the first full-atmosphere model of Jupiter, combining deep thermochemistry with upper-atmosphere photochemistry. The model predicts a mixed ammonia–ammonium hydrosulfide cloud layer, stable nitrogen levels from quenching, and a stratospheric region where hydrogen cyanide forms at detectable levels. These results bridge gaps between earlier models and make new, testable predictions for future missions.
A New Kind of Trojan: JWST Reveals Unusual Asteroids Near Jupiter
Using JWST, Brown and colleagues studied four small, unusually bright Jupiter Trojans and found they share unique spectral features unlike any known Trojan class. These objects resemble the Trojan Polymele, suggesting the existence of a third, previously unrecognized surface type. The upcoming Lucy spacecraft flyby of Polymele may help reveal their origins.
Unveiling Exoplanet Surfaces: Lessons from Jupiter and Enceladus’ Opposition Effect
The study investigates the opposition effect—a brightening seen when planets and moons are directly opposite the Sun—on Jupiter and Enceladus using Cassini data. The results show that Jupiter's peak is broader due to coherent backscattering (CB), while Enceladus exhibits both CB and shadow hiding (SH). This suggests that opposition peak width could indicate whether an exoplanet has a solid or gaseous surface, but current telescopes lack the precision to detect this effect on distant planets.
Rings of the Solar System: Exploring Origins and Mysteries
Rings in the solar system, once thought exclusive to giant planets, have been discovered around smaller objects like Chariklo, Haumea, and Quaoar. These rings exhibit diverse origins, from tidal disruptions to cometary activity, yet often converge in structure due to shared physical processes. The puzzling presence of Quaoar’s rings beyond its Roche limit challenges traditional models, suggesting unique dynamics shaped by resonance and particle collisions in cold environments.