Leigh Fletcher – The Conversation

Artist’s impression of the James Webb telescope after deployment of the mirror and sunshield. Northrup Grumman/Nasa

December 20, 2021

James Webb Space Telescope: how our launch of world’s most complex observatory will rest on a nail‑biting knife edge

Leigh Fletcher, University of Leicester; John Pye, University of Leicester, and Piyal Samara-Ratna, University of Leicester

It will be a nail-biting wait as scientists launch and deploy the most complex observatory ever built.

Enhanced artist impression based on JunoCam image of Jupiter acquired on July 21, 2021. NASA / SwRI / MSSS / Tanya Oleksuik

October 28, 2021

Jupiter: mission unveils the depth and structure of planet’s shrinking red spot and colourful bands

Leigh Fletcher, University of Leicester

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is deep, meaning it may persist even though it is shrinking.

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot observed by Juno in July 2017. .NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill

July 13, 2017

Six mysteries of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot

Leigh Fletcher, University of Leicester and Emma Bunce, University of Leicester

Juno has flown closer to the solar system’s most famous storm than any other spacecraft to take the most detailed images to date. They may help scientists reveal some of the spot’s best-kept secrets.

New close-up of Jupiter’s south pole. The oval features are cyclones. : NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Betsy Asher Hall/Gervasio Robles

May 25, 2017

The first results from the Juno mission are in – and they already challenge our understanding of Jupiter

Leigh Fletcher, University of Leicester

Measurements suggest Jupiter’s core may be fluffy rather than dense and that its magnetic field is much stronger than previously thought.

Jupiter’s South Pole, as seen by NASA’s Juno spacecraft on August 27 2016. Credit: NASA/SwRI/MSSS, processed by R. Tkachenko

December 5, 2016

It’s been a turbulent start, but Juno is now delivering spectacular insights into Jupiter

Leigh Fletcher, University of Leicester

NASA’s Juno spacecraft has faced a series of challenges during its first 150 days.

Artist’s concept of the Juno mission to Jupiter.

June 30, 2016

NASA’s Juno arrives at Jupiter to lift cloudy veil

Leigh Fletcher, University of Leicester

The perilous Juno mission could help reveal how Jupiter formed, whether it has a rocky core and even whether it influenced life on Earth.

The prize, Europa, a watery world. NASA

February 6, 2015

The Moon was a first step, Mars will test our capabilities, but Europa is the prize

Leigh Fletcher, University of Oxford

The icy moon Europa is perhaps the most tantalising destination in our solar system. Scientists have been trying for years to kickstart a mission to Jupiter’s most enigmatic moon, with very Earth-like…

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