NASA’s Juno spacecraft has provided stunning close-up images of Io, one of Jupiter’s moons, revealing a massive lava lake on its surface.

During flybys in December 2023 and January 2024, Juno came within 930 miles of Io, offering the closest-ever glimpse of the moon’s volcanic activity.

Io boasts hundreds of active volcanoes, with eruptions sometimes visible from telescopes on Earth.

The newly captured images showcase Loki Patera, a colossal 127-mile-long lava lake on Io.

Scientists have been monitoring this feature for years, noting its position above magma reservoirs beneath Io’s surface.

Juno’s observations reveal a remarkably smooth surface, reminiscent of volcanic glass on Earth, Live Science reported.

Despite its volcanic activity, Io’s surface also exhibits areas covered in yellow sulfur and sulfur dioxide.

Juno continues its mission, studying Jupiter’s atmosphere and polar cyclones, with its 61st flyby scheduled for May 12th.

Written by B.C. Begley