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James Webb Reveals Surprising Cold Spot on Io's Aurora

3/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detected unusual features in Io's auroral footprints.
Katie Knowles from Northumbria University led the study that found a cold spot at 265°C cooler than the surrounding 493°C.
The cold spot showed extreme variability in ion density, three times higher than Jupiter's main aurora.
Knowles plans further observations with NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility to study these patterns and implications for other planetary systems.

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Story summary

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) detected unusual features in Io's auroral footprints.
Katie Knowles from Northumbria University led the study that found a cold spot at 265°C cooler than the surrounding 493°C.
The cold spot showed extreme variability in ion density, three times higher than Jupiter's main aurora.
Knowles plans further observations with NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility to study these patterns and implications for other planetary systems.