What moon of Jupiter has auroras?
Jupiter is not the only body in the Jovian system that has an atmosphere with auroral displays. Brilliant, colorful auroras also happen over its moon Io. These are very exotic auroras, since they happen in a weird atmosphere of ionized sodium, oxygen, and sulfur dioxide. The small, volcanic moon orbits close to Jupiter, in a belt of radiation so intense it could kill an unprotected human. In addition, there is a vast electric circuit between the moon and Jupiter, with a charge difference of some 400,000 volts. Io’s auroras are among the most brilliant and colorful in the Solar System. Because of the particle radiation and the huge electric current, Io’s entire thin atmosphere is energized, causing it to emit a dazzling show of red, blue, and green lights. Click Here to Return to Table of Contents Bits from the Science Lab Listserver Trek Inspired Technology (posted by William J. Higgins) Star Trek has spawned many inventions. In London England, there is a exibition (part of the traveli
