PROFILEMoon of Jupiter
Why is Io so active?
Jupiter’s gravity and interactions with other moons flex Io as it travels along its orbit. This flexing generates internal heat and helps power its volcanoes.
Exploring Io
Voyager, Galileo and Juno have observed Io, providing images and measurements of a geologically active moon.
FACTS TO EXPLORE
ORBITAL PERIODabout 1.8 days
LOCATIONMoon of Jupiter
Values are rounded. AU means astronomical unit. NASA source ↗
