Jupiter's moon Io seen by Galileo
author: Nasa/JPL/Novapix
reference: a-jup05-00201
Image Size 300 DPI: 22 * 9 cm
Three full-disk color views of Jupiter's volcanic moon Io as seen by NASA's Galileo spacecraft camera are shown in enhanced color (near-infrared-, green-, and violet-filtered images) to highlight details of the surface. These three views, taken by Galileo in late June 1996, show about 75 percent of Io's surface. The images reveal that some areas on Io are truly red, whereas much of the surface is yellow or light greenish. The major red areas shown here appear to be closely associated with very recent fragmental volcanic deposits (pyroclastics) erupted in the form of volcanic plumes. The most prominent red oval surrounds the volcano Pele (far right). An intense red spot lies near the active plume Marduk east of Pele.