Jupiter's poles
Jupiter's poles
Does anyone out there know why, in May 5th's APOD, Jupiter's poles seem to be glowing? The edges of Jupiter fade to black everywhere else, indicating full-on sunlight, but the poles come to a knife edge with strong color. There seems to be a light source that is not the sun. I've followed the link to the Hubble data, but it does not address my question. Thanks.
I'm a retired veterinarian with widespread interests in science.
Ah, the reason the poles seem to glow is because this image is a composite of a visible light image and a near-infrared image. That pale glow covering the poles is infrared light from high-altitude haze in Jupiter's atmosphere. It's not a true-colour image of Jupiter as we would see it with our own eyes.
Don't just stand there, get that other dog!