NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has published the first detailed images of Jupiter's largest moon
Ganymede is the largest satellite in the solar system, twice the size of the moon and slightly larger than Mercury. The image shows many craters, the satellite's surface is composed of ice and silicate rocks.
The image shows the surface of the satellite with a previouslyinaccessible detail: you can see light and dark areas of the surface, as well as characteristic extended structures, probably representing tectonic fractures.
In addition, the station examined the composition andsatellite surface temperature, ionosphere and magnetic field: this is necessary to understand the influence of Jupiter on the satellite and will be useful in planning future missions to study Ganymede and other satellites of Jupiter.
We're going to take our time before drawing any scientific conclusions, but until thenwe can simply marvel at this celestial wonder – the only moon in our solar system larger than the planet Mercury.
Scott Bolton, lead author, is from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio.
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