Mysterious dark-rayed crater spotted on Jupiter's Moon, Ganymede's icy surface

NASA shared a sharp new image of Ganymede, Jupiter’s largest moon (Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS)

NASA has released a striking image from a recent Ganymede flyby. The photo highlights a rare dark-rayed crater named 'Kittu'. Scientists say these features hold clues about the moon’s surface history.

The Juno spacecraft captured the detailed image during its close pass. Researchers are now analysing the unusual dark markings with high interest. The finding strengthens curiosity about Jupiter’s extraordinary icy moons.

What Juno Recently Captured? 

Juno photographed Ganymede’s cratered surface in exceptional sharp detail. The dark-rayed crater Kittu sits prominently in the new frame. Most Ganymede craters show bright rays spreading across grey terrain.

Only a few impacts display these charcoal-coloured streaks reaching outward. Scientists believe such craters form when darker material strikes Ganymede. The contaminant stays warm, preventing bright frost from forming.

Why These Craters Look Dark? 

Dark rays appear when impact debris contains heat-absorbing components. These materials retain warmth longer than the surrounding icy crust. Warm surfaces resist ice formation created by Jupiter’s cold environment.

This keeps the crater darker than typical bright-rayed impacts nearby. The process reveals temperature differences across the battered moon. It also informs models of Ganymede’s evolving icy landscape.

How Scientists Interpret These Clues?

Researchers use these features to study impacts across icy moons. Dark craters hint at varied histories of objects hitting Ganymede. The chemistry of impactors may explain unusual colour distributions.

Thermal behaviour also shapes how ice resurfaces on giant moons. Each crater helps scientists understand solar system impact patterns. These insights support future missions exploring Jupiter’s complex system.

What Happens Next in Exploration?

Europa Clipper will revisit Ganymede during its extended journey. The spacecraft will survey Europa for signs of potential habitability. It may later end its mission by descending toward Ganymede.

NASA expects new data to transform understanding of Jupiter’s moons. Future observations will refine models of icy-moon surface evolution. The mission strengthens hopes for discoveries in outer-planet science.