JunoCam Image Processing and Navigation Supported by the MeteoJuno Exploration Tool

We present MeteoJuno, a web-based exploration tool developed for the interactive visualization of processed images from JunoCam, the visible-light camera aboard NASA's Juno mission. Originally designed for public outreach, JunoCam has become a valuable scientific instrument, delivering high-resolution images of Jupiter’s atmosphere—particularly of the planet's polar regions, which had been largely unexplored by previous missions. This work details the complete workflow for image processing and the integration of resulting data products into platforms for both scientific analysis and educational outreach.

JunoCam image processing poses specific challenges due to Juno’s polar orbit, variable illumination, and highly elliptical flybys. To address these, we implemented a specialized workflow combining ISIS3 (for geometric corrections and cartographic projections) and GDAL (for image mosaicking, spectral band merging, and exporting to standard formats). The processed images include full metadata and are available in PNG (for quick visualization) and FITS (the astronomical standard for detailed scientific analysis).

The final products are integrated into two complementary platforms:

• PVOL (Planetary Virtual Observatory and Laboratory): an international archive combining amateur and professional observations, now enhanced with georeferenced JunoCam images.

• MeteoJuno: a tool developed by the Pamplona Planetarium that allows users to explore JunoCam imagery projected onto a 3D model of Jupiter. The interface supports globe manipulation, image overlay from multiple perijoves, analysis of geographic coordinates and illumination conditions, and direct download via PVOL.

From a scientific perspective, the processed images have supported key investigations of Jupiter’s atmospheric dynamics. Notable studies include:

• Great Red Spot (GRS): analysis of its internal dynamics and interactions with incoming anticyclones, revealing fragmentation events, changes in rotation rate, and material shedding.

• Convective storms and cyclones: tracking features such as Clyde’s Spot, detecting mesoscale wave structures (30–100 km), and creating 3D cloud reconstructions using stereoscopic image pairs.

• Large-scale disturbances: documentation of jet disruptions and equatorial band instabilities, including localized plumes that trigger widespread atmospheric changes.

• Polar vortices: long-term tracking of the stable cyclonic rings at Jupiter’s poles and analysis of zonal vorticity and high-latitude jet systems.

Beyond their scientific value, the processed images have been extensively used for educational and outreach purposes. The Pamplona Planetarium employs georeferenced JunoCam mosaics in full-dome projections simulating close flybys of Jupiter, providing immersive public experiences. The accessibility of the data and tools further enables amateur astronomers and educators to engage with planetary science meaningfully.

We conclude that the developed processing pipeline, together with open-access platforms such as PVOL and MeteoJuno, represents an effective and replicable approach for the exploitation of data from planetary missions. This methodology enhances scientific research capabilities while fostering public participation and educational impact, bridging the gap between professional science, citizen engagement, and classroom learning.