Rare Hubble Portrait of Io and Jupiter

Jupiter's moon Io and its shadow are hurling across the face of the biggest planet in our Solar System. Io itself is a very interesting moon, well known for its many active volcanoes. The smallest details visible on Io and Jupiter are about 150 km across. Bright patches visible on Io are regions of sulfur dioxide frost.

This image, shows Jupiter's volcanic moon Io passing above the turbulent clouds of the giant planet, on July 24, 1996. The conspicuous black spot on Jupiter is Io's shadow.

The smallest details visible on Io and Jupiter are about 100 miles across (about 160 kilometres). Bright patches visible on Io are regions of sulfur dioxide frost.