READ HIGHLIGHTS 

Kevin M. Gill, a citizen scientist, generated the picture by combining seven photographs.

These photos were obtained on January 12 during Juno's 39th close approach to Jupiter.

NASA also released a picture of Jupiter's moon Ganymede.

WHY IN NEWS 

The Juno mission of NASA has once again dazzled us with stunning photographs of Jupiter and its moon Ganymede. An photograph of Jupiter in crescent phase has scientists in awe. The image was captured when NASA's Juno probe neared the massive planet during a routine close encounter. Jupiter's crescent form will never be recorded by Earth-based telescopes. The reason for this was outlined in the blog article. It noted that, unlike the Moon or Venus, this image of Jupiter in a crescent phase was impossible to view from Earth, even with the use of a telescope. The post went on to say that because Jupiter's orbit is outside of that of the Earth, an observer on Earth can only see the side of Jupiter lit by the Sun.

ALSO READ :   X-ray Polarimetry Explorer Space Telescope, operated by NASA, has captured first images.

As a result, the planet seems to be completely filled at all times. Juno's JunoCam sensor provided the raw data for this backlit picture of Jupiter's crescent. Kevin M. Gill, a citizen scientist, assembled the image from seven photographs collected during Juno's 39th close approach to Jupiter on January 12, 2022. 'You would be treated to a spectacular panorama similar to this one if you could ride along with NASA's Juno spacecraft as it approaches Jupiter during one of its frequent close encounters by the giant planet,' the website added. The intricate surface of Jupiter's moon Ganymede was another photograph posted on NASA's website. Ganymede, our solar system's biggest moon, is noted for its unique magnetic field.

ALSO READ : With the new 'Private Story Likes' feature, Instagram now allows likes on stories.

According to Space.com, the Ganymede photograph was acquired during a near approach in June 2021. When Juno took this snapshot, it was barely 650 miles (1,046 kilometres) above Ganymede's surface. Thomas Thomopoulos, a citizen scientist, developed the enhanced-color photograph. The photograph depicts Kittu, a huge crater. The crater has a diameter of over 9 miles (15 kilometres) and is surrounded by darker material. Scientists believe the debris was expelled from the moon's surface when a tiny asteroid collided with it. According on the NASA website, the majority of Ganymede's craters featured dazzling beams extending from the impact scar, whereas only around 1% had dark rays. Ganymede is the solar system's biggest moon. It dwarfs the planet Mercury in size.