James Webb Space Telescope images reveal Jupiter's auroras are hundreds of times brighter than Earth's. These dazzling lights are created by high-energy particles colliding with atmospheric gases near Jupiter's magnetic poles. Unlike Earth's auroras, Jupiter's are intensified by particles from Io's volcanoes, captured by Jupiter's strong magnetic field. A team led by Jonathan Nichols published their findings in Nature Communications, showcasing Webb's unique near-infrared camera's ability to capture these fast-varying features. The observations were made on December 25, 2023.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.