Jupiter (NIRcam image)

In this image and the corresponding data collected, the James Webb Telescope has discovered a massive 3000-mi (4800-km) wide jet stream above Jupiter’s equator. The jet stream travels at 320 mph, twice as fast as a Category 5 hurricane on Earth.  It sits about 25 miles (40 km) above Jupiter's main cloud layers, in the lower stratosphere, a region where previous missions could not observe. Webb's infrared imaging reveals new details at these higher altitudes, complementing Hubble's visible light data to better understand the planet’s winds and storms and new insights into the Jovian system. The bright white "spots" and "streaks" are likely tops of high-altitude clouds. Auroras, appearing red in this image, reach far above the north and south poles. Darker ribbons in the north equatorial region have little cloud cover.  This is the second image of Jupiter that the JWST has released, the first was in August, 2022. Release Date: October 19, 2023