Exploring Saturn and Uranus Aurorae

• 23 Mar 2024

On 20th March, Researchers announced that they will use James Webb Space Telescope to unravel mysteries of aurorae on Saturn and Uranus.

Key Points

• Observation Time Awarded: University of Leicester-led team granted observation time with Webb Telescope to study aurorae on Saturn and Uranus, selected from over 1,900 submissions.
• Similarities with Earth: Aurorae on gas giants caused by high-energy charged particles interacting with magnetic field lines, akin to Earth's Northern Lights.
• Investigating Saturn's Phenomenon: Researchers to examine Saturn's aurorae, possibly caused by peculiar atmospheric winds, using Webb Telescope to map temperatures and understand their origin.
• Mapping Uranus' Auroral Emissions: Project aims to capture images of Uranus' auroral emissions to map them across the entire planet, determining their source - whether from solar wind or internal mechanisms.
• Unveiling Planetary Mysteries: Insights from these observations expected to shed light on the unique atmospheric phenomena of Saturn and Uranus, contributing to our understanding of planetary dynamics.