These moons had an impact on the thinking of those times. It was believed then that Earth was the center of the universe and that all the planets and moons revolved around Earth. Galileo's observations showed that the four moons revolved around Jupiter, not Earth. This discovery contributed to Galileo's doom. He was condemned by the Catholic Church, forced to recant his discovery, and only in 1992 did Pope John Paul II agree that Galileo was right to support Copernicanism.
As telescopes improved, other astronomers continued to observe Jupiter and to study its colorful bands and the long-lived storm known as the Great Red Spot. Twenty-four other smaller satellites have been discovered, from Amalthea in 1892 to Leda in 1974 to twelve new moons in 2001. Observations from Earth showed that Jupiter has a massive magnetosphere and that the planet emits radiation at radio wavelengths. From this, astronomers deduced that Jupiter is surrounded by radiation belts, similar to Earth's Van Allen radiation belts, and that the planet must have a strong magnetic field.
Spacecraft Explorations
Space missions allowed scientists to make great leaps forward in the exploration of Jupiter and its moons.
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