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Jupiter Moons

There are many interesting moons orbiting the planet, but the ones of most scientific interest are the first four moons discovered beyond Earth – the Galilean satellites: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. In Depth ›

Critical Science Targets

Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system.

Europa might be the best place to look for environments where life could exist.

Ganymede is the largest satellite in our solar system. It is larger than Mercury and Pluto, and three-quarters the size of Mars.

Callisto is the most heavily cratered object in our solar system.

Related News

Scientists have completed the longest-ever study tracking temperatures in Jupiter’s upper atmosphere where its signature colorful striped clouds form.

40-Year Study Finds Mysterious Patterns in Temperatures at Jupiter

40-Year Study Finds Mysterious Patterns in Temperatures at Jupiter

This page showcases our resources for those interested in learning more about Jupiter.

Jupiter Resources

Jupiter Resources

NASA-funded scientists have discovered shaded locations within pits on the Moon that always hover around a comfortable 63 F.

NASA's LRO Finds Lunar Pits Harbor Comfortable Temperatures

NASA's LRO Finds Lunar Pits Harbor Comfortable Temperatures

To most of us, dust is an annoyance. But these tiny particles that float about and settle on surfaces play an important role across the solar system.

10 Things: Dust in the Wind (on Mars and Well Beyond)

10 Things: Dust in the Wind (on Mars and Well Beyond)

On April 9, 2022, the JunoCam instrument captured what it would look like to ride along with the Juno spacecraft.

Juno Skims the Cloud Tops of Jupiter

Juno Skims the Cloud Tops of Jupiter

Science instruments and other hardware for the spacecraft will come together in the mission’s final phase before a launch to Europa in 2024.

NASA Begins Assembly of Europa Clipper Spacecraft

NASA Begins Assembly of Europa Clipper Spacecraft

A new study finally reveals higher-frequency X-rays and explains why they eluded another mission 30 years ago.

NASA Telescope Spots Highest-Energy Light Ever Detected From Jupiter

NASA Telescope Spots Highest-Energy Light Ever Detected From Jupiter

Europa Clipper will need to know its orientation while traveling from Earth to Jupiter and in orbit around Jupiter. To accomplish this, it will use the stars.

Europa Mission Dispatch: Tracking the Stars

Europa Mission Dispatch: Tracking the Stars

The Next Full Moon is the Wolf Moon, Ice Moon, the Moon after Yule, and the Old Moon.

Full Moon Guide: January - February 2022

Full Moon Guide: January - February 2022

Our 2021 round-up of NASA planetary science is packed with the year’s most spectacular images, ground-breaking discoveries, and incredible mission events.

NASA Planetary Science Highlights: 2021

NASA Planetary Science Highlights: 2021

NASA's Juno spacecraft captured sounds of Jupiter's moon Ganymede during a June 7, 2021, close flyby.

NASA's Juno Spacecraft ‘Hears' Jupiter's Moon

NASA's Juno Spacecraft ‘Hears' Jupiter's Moon

Finding plumes at Europa is an exciting prospect, but scientists warn it’ll be tricky, even from up close.

Are Water Plumes Spraying from Europa? NASA's Europa Clipper is on the Case

Are Water Plumes Spraying from Europa? NASA's Europa Clipper is on the Case

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has completed this year's grand tour of the outer solar system.

Hubble's Grand Tour of the Outer Solar System

Hubble's Grand Tour of the Outer Solar System

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson laid out the path forward for early Artemis missions that will pave the way for lunar surface missions.

NASA Outlines Challenges, Progress for Artemis Moon Missions

NASA Outlines Challenges, Progress for Artemis Moon Missions

During its 36th low pass over Jupiter, NASA’s Juno spacecraft captured this view of striking Jupiter's cloud bands and swirls.

Mocha Swirls in Jupiter's Turbulent Atmosphere

Mocha Swirls in Jupiter's Turbulent Atmosphere

New Juno findings provide a fuller picture of Jupiter’s colorful atmospheric features, and offer clues about what's below the clouds.

NASA's Juno: Science Results Offer First 3D View of Jupiter Atmosphere

NASA's Juno: Science Results Offer First 3D View of Jupiter Atmosphere

NASA scientists are calling for a framework that provides context for findings related to the search for life.

Are We Alone in the Universe? NASA Calls for New Framework

Are We Alone in the Universe? NASA Calls for New Framework

JPL's lucky peanuts are an unofficial tradition at big mission events.

What Are JPL's Lucky Peanuts?

What Are JPL's Lucky Peanuts?

Hubble observations of Europa have revealed the presence of persistent water vapor – but, mysteriously, only in one hemisphere.

Hubble Finds Evidence of Persistent Water Vapor in One Hemisphere of Europa

Hubble Finds Evidence of Persistent Water Vapor in One Hemisphere of Europa

Winds in the outermost "lane" of Jupiter's Great Red Spot are accelerating – a discovery made possible by Hubble.

Hubble Shows Winds in Jupiter's Great Red Spot Are Speeding Up

Hubble Shows Winds in Jupiter's Great Red Spot Are Speeding Up

In 2023, NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) will land near the western edge of the Nobile Crater at the Moon’s South Pole.

NASA's Artemis Rover to Land Near Nobile Region of Moon's South Pole

NASA's Artemis Rover to Land Near Nobile Region of Moon's South Pole

The rover will be delivered to the Moon's surface in late 2023. VIPER is the first resource-mapping mission on the surface of another celestial body.

NASA to Announce Landing Site for Artemis Lunar Robotic Rover

NASA to Announce Landing Site for Artemis Lunar Robotic Rover

The Next Full Moon is the Harvest Moon, the Fruit Moon, the Barley Moon, and the Corn Moon.

Full Moon Guide: September - October 2021

Full Moon Guide: September - October 2021

Juno used its infrared instrument during recent flybys of Ganymede to create this map a decade after Juno’s launch.

NASA's Juno Celebrates 10 Years With New Infrared View of Moon Ganymede

NASA's Juno Celebrates 10 Years With New Infrared View of Moon Ganymede

This week in 2011, the Juno mission to Jupiter launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard an Atlas V-551 rocket.

This Week in NASA History: Juno Mission to Jupiter Launches

This Week in NASA History: Juno Mission to Jupiter Launches