Juno delivers first Jupiter color image since entering orbit (PHOTO)
Juno has sent its first view of Jupiter to NASA since it became the maiden spacecraft to enter the super planet’s orbit on July 5.
The incredible view, made up from the first images taken by JunoCam, was obtained on July 10 when Juno was 2.7 million miles (4.3 million km) away from Jupiter.
It highlights Jupiter's famous Great Red Spot and features three of the planet’s four largest moons: lo, Europa and Ganymede from left to right in the image.
READ MORE: ‘Burn complete, orbit obtained’: Juno mission ready to unlock Jupiter’s secrets
The photo came as a relief to scientists who now have confirmation that Juno remains intact since passing Jupiter’s extreme atmospheric pressure and is ready to capture never-before-seen pictures of the planet.
"This scene from JunoCam indicates it survived its first pass through Jupiter's extreme radiation environment without any degradation and is ready to take on Jupiter," said Scott Bolton, principal investigator from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio.
One way or another, I’m gonna see ya. Powering up my science eyes + ears for next orbit https://t.co/iq4tEPosNZpic.twitter.com/1jjb5YS6Yn
— NASA's Juno Mission (@NASAJuno) July 8, 2016
The image will whet the appetite of space enthusiasts who are eagerly awaiting the high-definition images of the gas planet that NASA promise will arrive in a “few weeks”.
"JunoCam will continue to take images as we go around in this first orbit," said Candy Hansen, Juno co-investigator from the Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, Arizona.
"The first high-resolution images of the planet will be taken on August 27 when Juno makes its next close pass to Jupiter."
READ MORE: Juno entering Jupiter's orbit: 5 things you need to know
