At the north pole of Jupiter, immense storms—some comparable in size to Australia—rage with wind speeds hitting 100 miles per hour. With the aid of NASA’s Juno spacecraft, which has been orbiting this gas giant since 2016, researchers are now obtaining unparalleled insights into these formidable cyclones and the extreme conditions surrounding Jupiter and its moons.

After extensive data collection, scientists have monitored the long-term behavior of Jupiter’s central polar cyclone along with the eight gigantic storms that encircle it. Unlike Earth’s hurricanes, which typically originate near the equator and weaken as they approach the poles, Jupiter’s cyclones are firmly anchored at the poles, engaging with one another in a fragile equilibrium that sustains the stability of the whole system. These storms rotate in synchrony around a central vortex, forming a captivating pattern of organized disorder.

In addition, Juno is illuminating the mysteries of Io, Jupiter’s closest moon and the most volcanically active object in the solar system. During a close approach in December 2024, the spacecraft recorded the most intense volcanic eruption ever observed on Io. Astonishingly, the eruption remained active months later, as of March 2, and scientists speculate it might still be in progress.

One of the most astonishing revelations is that beneath Io’s apparently solid surface, molten lava is continuously flowing. Data indicates that roughly 10 percent of the moon’s surface harbors liquid lava just beneath it. This underground heat might clarify why Io’s surface seems geologically youthful. “Io’s volcanoes, lava fields, and underground lava flows function like a car radiator,” noted Juno scientist Shannon Brown. “They effectively transfer heat from the interior to the surface, cooling the moon in the vacuum of space.”

Juno has also employed a method known as radio occultation to examine Jupiter’s dense atmosphere. By transmitting radio signals through the planet’s atmosphere and analyzing how they bend, scientists found that the air at the north pole is approximately 20 degrees Fahrenheit colder than the neighboring areas.

These discoveries, shared at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly in Vienna, are aiding scientists in gaining a deeper understanding of how heat circulates through planets and moons—an interplay that affects weather, volcanic activity, and surface development. “As Juno’s orbit takes us through new regions of Jupiter’s intricate system, we’re gaining a clearer view of the vast energy this gas giant commands,” remarked Scott Bolton, Juno’s principal investigator.

Despite the vast differences between Jupiter and Earth—having no solid surface and enduring far more extreme conditions—studying its atmosphere and moons offers crucial insights into planetary science. By examining how wind, heat, and pressure interact on Jupiter, researchers can enhance the computer models applied to forecast weather and climate on Earth and other celestial bodies.

Juno’s mission is far from complete. On May 6, the spacecraft will execute another close flyby of Io, coming within just 55,000 miles of the moon. Scientists are optimistic that this approach will verify whether the gigantic volcanic eruption is still occurring.

“One of the remarkable aspects of Juno is that its orbit is constantly evolving,” Bolton remarked. “Each flyby grants us a new viewpoint. We’ve designed Juno to be robust, and with every pass, we unveil more about this intense and captivating environment.”