JIRAM

JIRAM is a research project and associated scientific instrument developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). JIRAM stands for Jupiter Infrared Auroral Mapper. Its primary objective is to study Jupiter's aurora and atmosphere using infrared observations. The instrument was designed to provide high-resolution images and spectral data of Jupiter's auroral regions, which are key to understanding the planet's powerful magnetic field and its interaction with the solar wind.

The JIRAM instrument was launched as part of the JAXA Akatsuki mission, which aimed to study Venus. However, after a series of orbital maneuvers and after Akatsuki successfully entered orbit around Venus, JIRAM was repurposed and eventually directed to Jupiter. The instrument utilizes a wide field of view and a sensitive infrared detector to capture detailed images of Jupiter's polar regions. It can observe emissions in specific infrared wavelengths that correspond to various atmospheric gases, allowing scientists to map their distribution and temperature.

By analyzing the data collected by JIRAM, researchers can gain insights into the complex processes occurring in Jupiter's upper atmosphere, including the generation and behavior of auroras, the composition and dynamics of the Jovian magnetosphere, and the energy transfer mechanisms within the planet's atmosphere. The mission has contributed significantly to our understanding of gas giant planets and their atmospheric phenomena.