Global Space News: A surprising tail for Phaethon

Asteroid 3200 Phaethon is a near-Earth asteroid that thinks it’s a comet. But the tail Phaethon emits has been observed to consist of sodium and not the expected dust. Our researchers discussion the importance of this find.

The sample from asteroid Ryugu: summary early 2023

On March 20, the extraterrestrial curation team pulled off the protective overalls that guard against any Earthly contamination entering the laboratory, and joined leaders of the mission and initial analysis teams in the ISAS Communication Hall. It has been just over two years since the Hayabusa2 spacecraft returned a sample from asteroid Ryugu to Earth. The teams were together to present a summary of the findings to date.

The search for the ultimate answer
After 42 years at NASA, Jim Green describes the driving force behind the phenomenal progress in space science

"It’s been 42 years. I had to make sure it was 42, because that’s the answer!"

The JUICE Mission: Japan joins ESA to head to the icy moons

On April 13, the JUpiter ICy moon Explorer (JUICE) is set to launch to the icy moons of the Solar System's largest planet. JUICE is an ESA-led mission, with strong involvement from Japan. Let's take a look at the mission and the onboard instruments Japan has helped to develop.

Onboard JUICE:
The JUICE magnetometer (J-MAG)

The JUICE Magnetometer (J-MAG) will explore the magnetic fields around the icy moons the depth of the subsurface oceans. Matsuoka Ayoka, lead researcher for J-MAG Japan, describes the instrument.

Onboard JUICE:
The Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation (RPWI)

The Radio & Plasma Wave Investigation (RPWI) studies the three dimensional electric and magnetic fields around Jupiter and the icy moons, and probes the moon atmospheres and internal structure. Kasaba Yasumasu, lead for the RPWI-Japan team, describes the instrument.

Onboard JUICE:
JANUS

JANUS is the camera system onboard JUICE for imaging the surface of the icy moons. Japan is part of the science team for the instrument. Haruyama Junichi, lead for the JANUS-Japan team, describes the instrument.

Onboard JUICE:
Submillimetre Wave Instrument (SWI)

The Submillimetre Wave Instrument (SWI) onboard JUICE and partially developed in Japan will investigate the Galilean moons of the giant planet Jupiter, the chemistry, meteorology, and structure of Jupiter’s middle atmosphere as well as atmospheric and magnetospheric coupling processes.

Onboard JUICE:
The Jovian Neutral Analyzer (PEP / JNA)

The Jovian Neutral Analyzer (JNA) is part of the Particle Environment Package (PEP) onboard JUICE and partially developed in Japan. Lead researcher for PEP/JNA-Japan, Asamura Kazushi, describes the instrument.

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