NASA’s Juno spacecraft sends first images of Jupiter

THE NASA spacecraft Juno - out on a 20-month mission - has sent back the first pictures since arriving at Jupiter.

A NASA spacecraft has sent back the first pictures since arriving at Jupiter.

An image released on Tuesday shows Jupiter surrounded by three of its four largest moons.

The picture was taken on Saturday when the Juno spacecraft was circling three million miles away. Even at that distance, Jupiter’s Great Red Spot - a centuries-old atmospheric storm - was visible. Juno entered orbit around Jupiter last week after a five-year journey.

It’s on a 20-month mission to map the giant planet’s poles, atmosphere and interior.

This image was taken by the Juno spacecraft, five days after it arrived at Jupiter. The image shows Jupiter's Great Red Spot and three of its four largest moons.

During the approach, the camera and instruments were powered off as a precaution as Juno braved intense radiation. The instruments were turned back on several days after the arrival.

Staff members watch on before the solar-powered Juno spacecraft went into orbit around Jupiter, at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California on July 4, 2016. Picture: Ringo Chiu/AFP

Scientists have said close-ups of Jupiter won’t come until next month when Juno swings back around.