The following introduction to Juno is copied from the article "What is Juno?" from NASA.
"Juno is a NASA spacecraft. Juno is going to Jupiter to help scientists learn more about the planet. Juno will help scientists learn how Jupiter and other planets were made. Juno launched in 2011. It will reach Jupiter in 2016. That is a five-year trip!The name "Juno" comes from stories told by the Romans long ago. In the stories, Juno was the wife of Jupiter. Jupiter hid behind clouds so no one could see him cause trouble. But Juno could see through the clouds. The Juno spacecraft also will look beneath the clouds. Juno the spacecraft will not be looking for bad behavior. Juno will be helping us to understand how Jupiter became a planet.
How Will Juno Study Jupiter?
The Juno spacecraft launched aboard an Atlas V rocket. It launched on Aug. 5, 2011. It will get to Jupiter in 2016 (July 4th to be precise). Juno will not land. It will orbit Jupiter 32 times. Juno will orbit around Jupiter's poles for about one year.
Juno will get closer to Jupiter than any other spacecraft. Juno will take science instruments to study Jupiter's atmosphere. The atmosphere is the layer of gases around a planet. Juno will take the first pictures of Jupiter's poles. The spacecraft will study the lights around Jupiter's north and south poles, too.
Juno will get its power from the sun. The spacecraft has three large solar panels around its six-sided body.
Why Is NASA Studying Jupiter?
Juno will help scientists better understand how Jupiter was made. The spacecraft will help them learn how Jupiter has changed, too. Scientists now are finding planets that do not orbit our sun. These planets orbit other stars. Juno will help us learn more about Jupiter and our own solar system. The spacecraft also will help us learn more about other solar systems. What we learn could help us find new planets."
"Juno is a NASA spacecraft. Juno is going to Jupiter to help scientists learn more about the planet. Juno will help scientists learn how Jupiter and other planets were made. Juno launched in 2011. It will reach Jupiter in 2016. That is a five-year trip!The name "Juno" comes from stories told by the Romans long ago. In the stories, Juno was the wife of Jupiter. Jupiter hid behind clouds so no one could see him cause trouble. But Juno could see through the clouds. The Juno spacecraft also will look beneath the clouds. Juno the spacecraft will not be looking for bad behavior. Juno will be helping us to understand how Jupiter became a planet.
How Will Juno Study Jupiter?
The Juno spacecraft launched aboard an Atlas V rocket. It launched on Aug. 5, 2011. It will get to Jupiter in 2016 (July 4th to be precise). Juno will not land. It will orbit Jupiter 32 times. Juno will orbit around Jupiter's poles for about one year.
Juno will get closer to Jupiter than any other spacecraft. Juno will take science instruments to study Jupiter's atmosphere. The atmosphere is the layer of gases around a planet. Juno will take the first pictures of Jupiter's poles. The spacecraft will study the lights around Jupiter's north and south poles, too.
Juno will get its power from the sun. The spacecraft has three large solar panels around its six-sided body.
Why Is NASA Studying Jupiter?
Juno will help scientists better understand how Jupiter was made. The spacecraft will help them learn how Jupiter has changed, too. Scientists now are finding planets that do not orbit our sun. These planets orbit other stars. Juno will help us learn more about Jupiter and our own solar system. The spacecraft also will help us learn more about other solar systems. What we learn could help us find new planets."
After 5 years in space, Juno will arrive at Jupiter on July 4th!
Below are a series of videos and activities to explore more about Juno and Jupiter.
"Why with Nye" The Cool Stuff You Need to KNow About NASA's Mission to Jupiter |
Bill Nye, the Science Guy, worked with NASA to record these videos about the Juno spacecraft. Watch and gather more information to help answer the Big Questions.
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Watch this "Why with Nye" to find out how the Juno spacecraft is powered. Find out what happens the farther the spacecraft gets from the sun.
Watch this "Why with Nye" to find out how the Juno spacecraft was able to get to Jupiter.
(This video was made a few years ago when it came by Earth before going towards Jupiter).
(This video was made a few years ago when it came by Earth before going towards Jupiter).
Watch this "Why with Nye" to learn more about how Juno will find out what is inside Jupiter.
Watch this "Why with Nye" to learn more about the Giant Red Spot on Jupiter and how Juno will help to study it.
Watch this "Why with Nye" to learn how Jupiter is like the Sun.
Play JunoQuest |
Play JunoQuest from NASA to see what kind of data NASA will collect from Juno and how difficult it can be to get good data.
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Find out All About Jupiter |
For PK-2, expore NASA's SpacePlace, to find out All About Jupiter.
For Grade 2-4, Find out more at the Jupiter: Discovery Guide.
For even more great information you can also visit NASA: Jupiter OR Plants: Jupiter. |
Visit the Juno Mission Website |
Visit the Juno Mission Pages.
Scroll down and discover the timeline and the countdown timer to see how long it will be before Juno reaches its first orbit around Jupiter. |
NASA's Eyes on the Universe |
NASA's Eyes
I would highly recommend this FREE computer app (it does not work on a tablet) in order to explore more about the universe and other spacecraft missions. |
Watch the NASA Education Channel LIVE |
NASA has a LIVE channel on YouTube that has space education programming or live programs about current missions.
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