| Expected & Detected X-ray emission was detected from the atmospheres of planets and comets. The X-rays are produced when solar X-rays and high-speed particles flowing away from the Sun hit these atmospheres. The observed X-radiation provides information on the outer atmospheres of these objects that is difficult to obtain with other telescopes. Unexpected The X-radiation from Jupiter's aurora, the equivalent of Earth's Northern Lights, was discovered to be located very near Jupiter's poles, suggesting that the auroral X-rays are produced by particles streaming along Jupiter’s magnetic field all the way from Jupiter's moon Io. |
Unexpected The strongest X-ray emission from Saturn came from its equatorial regions and varied with solar activity, suggesting that Saturn acts like a surprisingly efficient X-ray mirror that reflects X-rays from the Sun. Unexpected The discovery of X-rays from Saturn’s rings, from a source that is still unknown. It could be due to beams of energetic electrons produced in lightning storms on Saturn. |
