#AstroMiniBR: How long is a day on Jupiter?

TecMundo and #AstroMiniBR bring together weekly the best astronomical curiosities produced by collaborators profile in x To share the fantastic universe of astronomy with you. Check it out below!

#1: The length of a day on Jupiter!

The rotation of the planets in the Solar System is a fascinating cosmic spectacle that reveals the complexity and diversity of our planetary system. Among the eight planets, Jupiter, the king of the gas giants, plays a prominent role not only with its size but also with its extraordinary rotation speed. With an average rotation period of 9 hours and 56 minutes, Jupiter is the fastest planet in the Solar System..

But what makes this gas giant even more interesting is that its rotation is uneven throughout the atmosphere. This phenomenon, known as rotational differentiation, It occurs because Jupiter is not a solid solid but a gas giant composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. Gas layers at different latitudes of the planet move at different speeds, causing different rotation periods.

This complexity in Jupiter’s atmospheric dynamics opinions It provides valuable insights into the physics of gaseous planets and underlines the need for more sophisticated approaches to understanding complex motions in large and dynamic gravitational systems.

#2: Land helicopter on another planet!

The Ingenuity helicopter made its last flight on the red planet on January 18 this year. The device is a pioneering achievement in space exploration. NASA’s Mars mission has proven to be a revolutionary advance. In April 2021, Ingenuity performed the first controlled flight on another planet in history, a milestone in space science.

Modest in size and weighing only 1.8 kilograms, this small helicopter challenged the atmospheric conditions of Mars and demonstrated the feasibility of aviation on Mars. It is equipped with blades that rotate at an extraordinary speed of up to 2,400 rotations per minute. Ingenuity provides new perspective to explore the Red PlanetIt allows detailed analysis of areas inaccessible to traditional ground-based rovers.

Ingenuity was not only an example of technical skill, but also a crucial tool for future exploration missions. The helicopter flew over unexplored terrain, providing valuable data on topography, geology and even potential landing sites for future probes, ushering in a new era in space exploration.

#3: Japan went to the moon!

The beginning of 2024 is marked by great news in space exploration: Japan landed its first instrument on the MoonIt became the fifth country in the world to achieve this feat (the others being the former Soviet Union, the United States, China and India).

In recent years, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has played a leading role in space exploration, and the Intelligent Lander for Exploring the Moon (SLIM) mission was a remarkable testament to this commitment. SLIM represents an innovative approach to lunar exploration that aims to advance our understanding of the Moon’s geological history and potentially open the door to future crewed missions.

Equipped with the latest technology, the SLIM probe landed on the Moon’s surface and made detailed analyzes of its soil, looking for clues about the geological processes and evolution of our natural satellite.

This mission promises to expand our scientific knowledge and lays the foundation for the development of important technologies for future space exploration, cementing JAXA’s role as one of the leading organizations in research and exploration of the cosmos in the years to come.

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