Isha Sharma
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) JUICE spacecraft, en route to Jupiter and its moons, has successfully captured an image of Earth’s radiation belts. These belts, also known as the Van Allen radiation belts, contain charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field and play a crucial role in protecting the planet from solar radiation.
On its journey, JUICE used Earth’s gravity to slingshot itself toward Venus, capturing stunning high-definition images of the radiation belts in August 2024. These belts are made up of two distinct layers: the inner belt, which is located between 600 and 7,500 miles above Earth, and the outer belt, which extends from 8,000 to 37,000 miles above the planet.
The Importance of JUICE’s Mission
JUICE, which launched in April 2023, is not only tasked with exploring Jupiter’s atmosphere but also with studying its moons, particularly Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa.
These moons are believed to harbour liquid water beneath their icy surfaces, raising the possibility that they might host conditions necessary for life.
The spacecraft’s JENI instrument (Jovian Energetic Neutrals and Ions) played a key role in capturing the image of the plasma halo around Earth, showcasing the incredible detail of these radiation belts.
The Next Steps for JUICE
The probe is scheduled to reach Jupiter by 2031, after several gravity assists, including one from Venus in 2025 and two more from Earth in 2026 and 2029.
Once at Jupiter, the JENI instrument will be used to study the planet’s massive magnetosphere, as well as the interactions between Jupiter and its moons.
Scientists hope that JUICE will provide insights into whether these moons could potentially support life.
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