The New Horizons probe past Jupiter late last week gaining an extra 14,000 km/hour speed boost on its trek out to Pluto. New Horizons was the fastest human made object launched into the solar system and now with the help of Jupiter it is travelling at an astounding 23.2 km/second or 83,600 km/h.

As it past through the Jovian system its snapped one of the most incredible shots I have viewed in about 10 years of following space news:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0703/01io/

The picture is of Jupiters moon Io. You are able to see 3 active volcano's or ice geysers in the picture. The main volcano is ejecting material to a height of 290 km before arcing back down onto its surface.

You can read more about the New Horizons probe and view many pictures here:

http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/


Cheers,

that is freaking cool

Love it.

Is it just me or is Astronomy getting more and more bad assed these day's?
I frequently surf space.com and can get lost for hours surfing the galleries.
Bitching post.