Citizen Scientists Join the Search

Citizen scientist Steve Hill had already shown his ability to map Jupiter’s atmosphere using only specialized filters and a backyard telescope. His observations suggested that the clouds were too deep within the planet’s warm atmosphere to be composed of ammonia ice.

Figure 1. New Discovery Reveals the True Make-up of Jupiter’s Clouds.

To explore this further, Hill partnered with Patrick Irwin from Oxford University, whose research team had previously utilized the advanced MUSE instrument on ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) to study the atmospheres of gas giants. Figure 1 shows New Discovery Reveals the True Make-up of Jupiter’s Clouds.

MUSE can scan Jupiter’s atmosphere at various wavelengths, identifying the different molecules present. This animated image, based on real MUSE data, reveals how the gas giant appears at different wavelengths.

A Layered Cake of Mystery

The new study demonstrates how backyard telescopes and the VLT/MUSE can map the abundance of ammonia in Jupiter’s atmosphere with remarkable precision. The team found that Jupiter’s atmosphere is structured like a layered cake. The upper layers are covered by clouds of ammonium hydrosulphide, but occasionally, ammonia ice clouds are pushed to the surface by strong vertical convection. However, the full structure of this “cake” remains unclear, and the contributions of citizen scientists will be crucial in uncovering its secrets. So, the next time you’re observing Jupiter or Saturn from your backyard, you might be helping to reveal the mysteries still hidden in our Solar System.

The Mystery of Jupiter's Clouds

Jupiter's clouds have long puzzled scientists, with many theories about their composition, but no definitive answers. Observations using traditional methods suggested that ammonia ice played a major role in the planet’s cloud structure. However, this didn't align with new data indicating the clouds were located deeper within Jupiter’s warm atmosphere.

Citizen Scientists Step In

Steve Hill, a citizen scientist, used a backyard telescope with specially colored filters to map Jupiter's atmosphere. His findings challenged previous assumptions by suggesting that ammonia ice wasn't the primary component of the clouds, as they seemed too deep in the atmosphere to be made of such ice.

Collaborating with Experts

Hill teamed up with Patrick Irwin, a researcher from Oxford University, and his team, who had experience using the MUSE instrument on the ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT). MUSE allows scientists to scan Jupiter’s atmosphere at various wavelengths, enabling them to detect and map the different molecules present, helping to piece together a more accurate composition of the clouds.

A New Layered Structure

The findings showed that Jupiter's atmosphere is layered like a cake. The uppermost layers contain clouds of ammonium hydrosulphide, but ammonia ice clouds occasionally appear at higher altitudes due to strong vertical convection. This layered structure challenges previous models and opens new questions about how Jupiter's cloud system operates.

The Role of Citizen Scientists

The study highlights the invaluable contributions of citizen scientists in uncovering complex planetary mysteries. Hill’s observations and collaboration with experts demonstrate how even amateur astronomers can make significant discoveries. As new data and observations continue, the role of citizen scientists will be essential in further unraveling the secrets of Jupiter's clouds and atmosphere.

Source: SciTECHDaily

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025), "New Discovery Unveils the Real Composition of Jupiter’s Clouds", Anathemas, pp. 234