Major findings The composition of Jupiter differs from that of the Sun, indicating that Jupiter has evolved since the formation of the Solar System. Galileo made the first observation of ammonia clouds in another planet's atmosphere. The atmosphere creates ammonia ice particles from material coming up from lower depths. Io was confirmed to have extensive volcanic activity that is 100 times greater than that found on Earth. The heat and frequency of eruptions are reminiscent of early Earth. Complex plasma interactions in Io's atmosphere create immense electrical currents which couple to Jupiter's atmosphere. Several lines of evidence from Galileo support the theory that liquid oceans exist under Europa's icy surface. Ganymede possesses its own, substantial magnetic field – the first satellite known to have one. Galileo magnetic data provided evidence that Europa, Ganymede and Callisto have a liquid salt water layer under the visible surface. Evidence exists that Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto all have a thin atmospheric layer known as a "surface-bound exosphere". Jupiter's ring system is formed by dust kicked up as interplanetary meteoroids smash into the planet's four small inner moons. The outermost ring is actually two rings, one embedded with the other. There is probably a separate ring along Amalthea's orbit as well. The Galileo spacecraft identified the global structure and dynamics of a giant planet's magnetosphere.
major findings the composition of jupiter differs from that of the sun indicating that jupiter has evolved since the formation of the solar system galileo made the first observation of ammonia clouds in another planet's atmosphere the atmosphere creates ammonia ice particles from material coming up from lower depths io was confirmed to have extensive volcanic activity that is 100 times greater than that found on earth the heat and frequency of eruptions are reminiscent of early earth complex plasma interactions in io's atmosphere create immense electrical currents which couple to jupiter's atmosphere several lines of evidence from galileo support the theory that liquid oceans exist under europa's icy surface ganymede possesses its own substantial magnetic field – the first satellite known to have one galileo magnetic data provided evidence that europa ganymede and callisto have a liquid salt water layer under the visible surface evidence exists that europa ganymede and callisto all have a thin atmospheric layer known as a "surface-bound exosphere" jupiter's ring system is formed by dust kicked up as interplanetary meteoroids smash into the planet's four small inner moons the outermost ring is actually two rings one embedded with the other there is probably a separate ring along amalthea's orbit as well the galileo spacecraft identified the global structure and dynamics of a giant planet's magnetosphere