NASA's Juno Mission redefines the size and shape of Jupiter
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- NASA’s Juno mission reveals Jupiter is slightly smaller and more 'squashed' than previously thought.
- Jupiter is about 5 miles narrower at the equator and 15 miles flatter at the poles, based on radio occultation data from 13 flybys.
- Radio occultation helps scientists analyze Jupiter’s atmosphere by measuring signal changes caused by bending in the ionosphere.
- Previous Jupiter dimensions were based on 1970s Pioneer and Voyager mission data.
- Accurate Jupiter measurements aid in modeling giant exoplanets in distant star systems.
- Findings were published in the Feb. 2, 2026, issue of Nature Astronomy.
- Juno mission is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.