1. Introduction

   In this exercise, you will utilize the web to locate current information on the Galilean satellites of Jupiter provided by the Voyager 1 and 2 and the Galileo spacecraft. Using this information, you will answer a series of questions which compare and contrast the four satellites. There are also some more specific questions. All answers should be recorded in the packet you receive in your class.

2. Getting Started

   Before starting anything, you may wish to open another navigator window. This way you can easily review the questions while searching other websites.

   A convenient place to start is with some links that have already been collected for you. Explore the different sites and make a mental note of the types of materials available. Click here to go to the Colgate Astronomy Links page and scroll down to the "Astronomy Related (Specific Topics) -- Jupiter and Galilean Satellites" section.

3. Surveying the Galilean Satellites -- The Voyager Results

   Using the information from various web sites for the Voyager 1 and 2 missions ONLY, answer the following questions about EACH of the four Galilean satellites. For some of these questions, you may not find any information from the Voyager missions!

   (A) Identify the four Galilean satellites. What ONE characteristic distinguishes each satellite from the others?

   (B) Describe the general surface features on each satellite. What are some of the distinguishing large scale features?

   (C) Describe what sort of surface activity has occurred on each satellite. What evidence do you use to support this deduction?

   (D) Look at the cratering on the satellite's surface. Describe the degree of cratering. What does the cratering tell us about the recent and ancient activity on the surface?

   (E) Look for evidence of faults and large scale motion of the surface? On what satellites is there evidence for this type of activity?

   (F) [optional] Describe what is known about the interior structure and magnetic field.

   (G) [optional] Which satellites are known to have atmospheres, and briefly describe the characteristics of them.

4. A Closer View of the Galilean Satellites -- The Galileo Results

   The Galileo mission has provided closeup (higher resolution) views of the Galilean satellites. Several of the web sites contain Galileo images. One particularly good site is the "NASA Jupiter web site - Galileo mission." Use this website to answer the following questions.

   (A)Galileo was on board which space shuttle?

   (B)Name the ~70 km sized crater on Callisto which contains ice.

   (C)How does the interior pressure of Jupiter compare to that of the Earth?

   (D)Which satellite sometimes has green auroral lights, probably from neutral oxygen or sulfer atoms?

   (E)Io's volcano Prometheus is compared to what feature on earth?

   (F)Which satellite has parrallel ridges greater than 1600 km possibly formed by internal activity on the satellite?

   (G)ERT is an acronym that stands for what?

   (H)Near which region of ancient dark terrain would you find the younger heavily tectonised bright terrain known as Nippur Sulcus?

   (I)When did the atmospheric probe drop into the Jovian atmosphere?

   (J)When was the finding of Europa's atmosphere announced?

   (K)What resource was designed to provide real-time coverage of Agency activities and missions as well as providing resource video to the news media, and educational programming to teachers, students and the general public?

   (L)When is the next scheduled Io flyby in Eastern time?

5. The End

   This concludes the Galilean Satellites WebLab.

version 1999 November 17; for Astronomy 101 (Solar System Astronomy)

Lab developed by Prof. Thomas Balonek and Ian Hoffman ('98) and updated by Stacey Davis ('97), Colgate University.

Please contact: tbalonek-AT-mail.colgate.edu for questions, comments, ...

Last modified: August 18, 2006