Transmission of the data, which was stored on Galileo's onboard tape recorder, will be completed on April 30. During the next month, data transmission will be interrupted at times because the Sun's position roughly between Earth and Jupiter interferes with radio communications with the spacecraft. Galileo radio scientists are taking advantage of this opportunity to study Galileo's radio signal as it becomes distorted by the effects of the solar wind. This helps scientists learn more about the solar wind, a powerful flow of electrified particles emitted by the Sun. Before and after the communications blackout, Galileo is transmitting data from various science observations.
Scientists hope to learn more about how Europa interacts with Jupiter's vast magnetic field.
Other observations will tell scientists more about the surface texture and composition of Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede , and help them tell the difference between various possible forms of water ice on Europa. The shape of ice crystals is dictated by the temperature at which the ice formed. This is an intriguing prospect, because it might be yet another sign of a possible ocean beneath Europa's icy crust. Galileo has gathered a wealth of information about Jupiter, its moons and its magnetic environment during the past three years.