Citizen Scientists Help Uncover New Composition of Jupiter’s Clouds

Collaborative research reveals Jupiter's clouds are composed of ammonium hydrosulfide and smog, not ammonia ice as previously thought.

A new study involving citizen scientists and professional astronomers challenges the long-held belief that Jupiter's clouds are made of ammonia ice.
The research, led by the University of Oxford, shows that the clouds are deeper in Jupiter's atmosphere where it is too warm for ammonia ice to form.
Using data from the Very Large Telescope's MUSE instrument and amateur observations, the study identified ammonium hydrosulfide and smog as the primary components of the clouds.
The findings highlight the role of photochemistry in shaping Jupiter's atmosphere and explain the reddish and brownish hues of its clouds.
This breakthrough demonstrates how amateur astronomers using commercial equipment can contribute to significant scientific discoveries.