JUICE, ESA's Mission to the Galilean moon and the Jupiter system

Colloquium: Astronomy Colloquia | September 6 | 4 p.m. | 2 LeConte Hall

Speaker/Performer: Michele Dougherty, Imperial College

Sponsor: Department of Astronomy

The recently selected European Space Agency JUICE (JUipter ICy moon Explorer) mission, is planned for launch in 2022. International scientists are at present preparing proposals for instrument selection for the mission. Details of the mission will be described, including the model payload, planned orbits and the resulting science. The focus of JUICE is to characterise the conditions that may have led to the emergence of habitable environments among the Jovian icy satellites, with special emphasis on the three ocean-bearing worlds, Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto. Ganymede is identified for detailed investigation since it provides a natural laboratory for analysis of the nature, evolution and potential habitability of icy worlds in general, but also because of the role it plays within the system of Galilean satellites, and its unique magnetic and plasma interactions with the surrounding Jovian environment. The mission will also focus on characterising the diversity of processes in the Jupiter system which may be required in order to provide a stable environment at Ganymede, Europa and Callisto on geologic time scales. Focused studies of Jupiter's atmosphere, and magnetosphere and their interaction with the Galilean satellites will further enhance our understanding of the evolution and dynamics of the Jovian system.

Event Contact: rhelgens@astro.berkeley.edu, 510-642-5275