Articles | Volume 44, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-1167-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-1167-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Regular paper
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23 Oct 2026
Regular paper | Highlight paper |
| 23 Oct 2026
| 23 Oct 2026
Spectral analysis of lunar regions observed by MAJIS during the JUICE Moon-Earth flyby
Francesca Zambon
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica – Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (INAF–IAPS), Rome, Italy
Francesca Altieri
Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica – Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (INAF–IAPS), Rome, Italy
Maria Cristina De Sanctis
Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica – Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (INAF–IAPS), Rome, Italy
Stéphane Le Mouélic
LPG, UMR-CNRS 6112, Nantes Université, 44322 Nantes CEDEX, France
Giuseppe Piccioni
Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica – Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (INAF–IAPS), Rome, Italy
François Poulet
Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS-Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay 91400, France
Yves Langevin
Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS-Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay 91400, France
Clément Royer
Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS-Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay 91400, France
Federico Tosi
Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica – Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (INAF–IAPS), Rome, Italy
Ozgur Karatekin
Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, 1180 Brussels, Belgium
Alessandro Mura
Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica – Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (INAF–IAPS), Rome, Italy
Cristian Carli
Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica – Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (INAF–IAPS), Rome, Italy
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Federico Tosi, Clément Royer, Federico Colaiuta, François Poulet, Tyler M. Powell, Benjamin T. Greenhagen, Yves Langevin, Alessandro Mura, Giuseppe Piccioni, Cédric Pilorget, Cristian Carli, and Francesca Zambon
Ann. Geophys., 44, 547–576, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-547-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-547-2026, 2026
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Using mid-infrared data acquired by Moons and Jupiter Imaging Spectrometer (MAJIS) aboard the European Space Agency’s JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft during the 2024 lunar flyby, we retrieved lunar surface temperature and effective emissivity at high spatial and spectral resolution. By comparing three independent thermal-retrieval methods, we confirmed the main mare–highland contrasts and showed how roughness and observing geometry shape the infrared signal, providing a methodological test case for future MAJIS studies of Jupiter’s icy moons.
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During a lunar flyby, the JANUS camera on board the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission captured detailed images of the Moon’s surface. We studied a large impact crater and a nearby highland region, finding evidence of complex surface changes over time and signs of unusual volcanic activity. These results improve our understanding of how the Moon evolved and confirm that the JANUS camera is ready for future exploration of Jupiter’s moons.
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Ann. Geophys., 44, 163–193, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-163-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-163-2026, 2026
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During the double Lunar-Earth Gravitational Assist with the ESA/JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer) spacecraft in August 2024, we acquired hyperspectral data cubes of both the Moon and Earth with the MAJIS (Moons And Jupiter Imaging Spectrometer) imaging spectrometer under challenging, real in-flight conditions. This allowed to characterize surface materials and thermophysical properties on the Moon, identify various cloud phases and gases in Earth's atmosphere, and thoroughly validate the performance of the instrument.
Yves Langevin, Sébastien Rodriguez, Sandrine Guerlet, François Poulet, Giuseppe Piccioni, Livio Agostini, Raymond Armante, Emiliano D'Aversa, Gianrico Filacchione, Leigh Fletcher, Fabrizio Oliva, Clément Royer, Benoît Seignovert, Katrin Stephan, Federico Tosi, and Tim Trent
Ann. Geophys., 44, 825–853, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-825-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-825-2026, 2026
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We present an updated spectral and radiometric calibration of the Moons and Jupiter Imaging Spectrometer (MAJIS) aboard the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE), based on results of Earth and Moon observations in August 2024 and on observations of the MAJIS internal calibration unit. Very good agreements were obtained with results of other instruments and models. These MAJIS observations provide a promising teaser of what will be achieved by MAJIS in the system of Jupiter.
Federico Tosi, Clément Royer, Federico Colaiuta, François Poulet, Tyler M. Powell, Benjamin T. Greenhagen, Yves Langevin, Alessandro Mura, Giuseppe Piccioni, Cédric Pilorget, Cristian Carli, and Francesca Zambon
Ann. Geophys., 44, 547–576, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-547-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-547-2026, 2026
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Using mid-infrared data acquired by Moons and Jupiter Imaging Spectrometer (MAJIS) aboard the European Space Agency’s JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) spacecraft during the 2024 lunar flyby, we retrieved lunar surface temperature and effective emissivity at high spatial and spectral resolution. By comparing three independent thermal-retrieval methods, we confirmed the main mare–highland contrasts and showed how roughness and observing geometry shape the infrared signal, providing a methodological test case for future MAJIS studies of Jupiter’s icy moons.
Fabrizio Oliva, Emiliano D'Aversa, Alessandra Migliorini, Giuseppe Piccioni, François Poulet, Yves Langevin, Gianrico Filacchione, Mauro Ciarniello, Sébastien Rodriguez, Benoît Seignovert, Alessandro Mura, Leigh N. Fletcher, Sandrine Guerlet, Angelo Zinzi, Marco Giardino, Ettore Lopinto, Giuseppe Sindoni, and Christina Plainaki
Ann. Geophys., 44, 511–545, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-511-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-511-2026, 2026
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During its first Earth flyby, the JUpiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) spacecraft acquired observations over the Western Pacific. We identify several gaseous compounds (O2, H2O, CO2, O3, CH4, N2O), liquid/ice clouds over the ocean and atmospheric waves at high altitudes. We find good agreement with similar observations of Earth-orbiting PRISMA spectrometer. This study helps in planning future observations from the Moon and Jupiter Imaging Spectrometer (Majis) when it comes to the Jupiter system.
Emiliano D'Aversa, Fabrizio Oliva, Giuseppe Piccioni, François Poulet, Ivana Kolmašová, Benoît Seignovert, Alessandra Migliorini, Gianrico Filacchione, Leigh Fletcher, Alessandro Mura, Yves Langevin, Davide Grassi, Sébastien Rodriguez, Federico Tosi, Nicolas Ligier, Giuseppe Sindoni, Marco Giardino, and Christina Plainaki
Ann. Geophys., 44, 435–460, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-435-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-435-2026, 2026
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Terrestrial lightning has been spectroscopically observed from Juice (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer) spacecraft, for the first time from space in a wide wavelength range. Though not detected by ground sensors, Juice confirmed neutral atomic oxygen and nitrogen emissions, with energies and temperatures consistent with average lightning. This observation is a benchmark for Jupiter, a primary Juice target, where simultaneous hydrogen emissions in different wavelengths could identify lightning.
Benoît Seignovert, François Poulet, Yves Langevin, Emiliano D'Aversa, Nicolas Ligier, Cydalise Dumesnil, Magali Mesbout, Cédric Leyrat, Sophie Jacquinod, Stéphane Le Mouélic, Gabriel Tobie, Nicolas Mangold, Giuseppe Piccioni, Federico Tosi, Katrin Stephan, Pasquale Palumbo, Livio Agostini, Luca Penasa, Laetitia Le Deit, Thomas Cornet, Ines Belgacem, Marc Costa-Sitja, Alfredo Escalante Lopez, and Simeon Schmauß
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2655, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2655, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Annales Geophysicae (ANGEO).
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This paper is the first in-flight geometric calibration of the MAJIS visible and infrared mapping spectrometer instrument onboard the ESA-Juice mission. It contains an overview of the spatial distribution of the MAJIS signal collected at different scan angles and their position in MAJIS field of view; the first two starfields in-flight calibration and multiple comparisons with the data collected by other Juice instruments during the first Lunar and Earth Gravity Assist (LEGA) by Juice in 2024.
Alice Lucchetti, Matteo Massironi, Klaus Gwinner, Thomas Kenkmann, Luca Penasa, Namitha R. Baby, Laura Rotzoll, Oguzcan Karagoz, Juan L. Rizos, Maurizio Pajola, Federico Tosi, Sonia Fornasier, Filippo Tusberti, Katrin Stephan, Riccardo Pozzobon, Javier E. Suarez-Valencia, Davide Cagnin, Francesca Zambon, Gianluca Chiarolanza, Athena Coustenis, Lorenza Giacomini, Ernst Hauber, Simone Marchi, Pietro Matteoni, Giuseppe Mitri, Costanza Rossi, Ricardo Hueso, Alessio Aboudan, Livio Agostini, Elke Kersten, Klaus D. Matz, Romolo Politi, Frank Trauthan, Cecilia Tubiana, Michael Aye, Angelo Zinzi, Ry Evill, Ines Belgacem, Jose M. Castro-Marin, Vincenzo Della Corte, Stubbe Hviid, Thomas Roatsch, Nicole Schmitz, Luisa M. Lara, Manish R. Patel, Ganna Portyankina, Pasquale Palumbo, and the JANUS team
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1901, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1901, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
During a lunar flyby, the JANUS camera on board the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer mission captured detailed images of the Moon’s surface. We studied a large impact crater and a nearby highland region, finding evidence of complex surface changes over time and signs of unusual volcanic activity. These results improve our understanding of how the Moon evolved and confirm that the JANUS camera is ready for future exploration of Jupiter’s moons.
François Poulet, Giuseppe Piccioni, Yves Langevin, Cydalise Dumesnil, Vincent Carlier, Benoit Seignovert, Marc Dexet, Leigh N. Fletcher, Cédric Leyrat, Francesca Altieri, John Carter, Emiliano D'Aversa, Maria De Sanctis, Davide Grassi, Sandrine Guerlet, Stéphane Le Mouélic, Alessandra Migliorini, Fabrizio Oliva, Clément Royer, Sébastien Rodriguez, Katrin Stephan, Federico Tosi, Francesca Zambon, Alberto Adriani, Gabriele Arnold, Jean-Pierre Bibring, Dominique Bockelée, Rosario Brunetto, Fabrizio Capaccioni, Cristian Carli, Thibault Cavalié, Miriam Cisneros González, Mauro Ciarnello, Simone De Angelis, Pierre Drossart, Gianrico Filacchione, Thierry Fouchet, Jean-Claude Gérard, Denis Grodent, Patrick Irwin, Sophie Jacquinod, Ozgur Karatekin, Emmanuel Lellouch, Nicolas Ligier, Nicolas Mangold, Magali Mebsout, Frédéric Merlin, Alessandro Morbidelli, Alessandro Mura, Andreas Nathues, Maria E. Palumbo, Cédric Pilorget, Olivier Poch, Eric Quirico, Andrea Raponi, Séverine Robert, Elias Roussos, Agustin Sanchez-Lavega, Bernard Schmitt, Giuseppe Sindoni, Marcel Snels, Roberto Sordini, Stefania Stefani, Giovanni Strazzulla, Tim Trent, Gabriel Tobie, Diego Turrini, Ann-Carine Vandaele, Mathieu Vincendon, Olivier Witasse, Claire Vallat, and Alessandro Moraino
Ann. Geophys., 44, 163–193, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-163-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-44-163-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
During the double Lunar-Earth Gravitational Assist with the ESA/JUICE (Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer) spacecraft in August 2024, we acquired hyperspectral data cubes of both the Moon and Earth with the MAJIS (Moons And Jupiter Imaging Spectrometer) imaging spectrometer under challenging, real in-flight conditions. This allowed to characterize surface materials and thermophysical properties on the Moon, identify various cloud phases and gases in Earth's atmosphere, and thoroughly validate the performance of the instrument.
Sandrine Guerlet, Raymond Armante, Ninon Lauzanne, François Poulet, Yves Langevin, Sébastien Rodriguez, Leigh Fletcher, Thierry Fouchet, Giuseppe Piccioni, and Alessandra Migliorini
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-805, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-805, 2026
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The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer spacecraft (JUICE) flew by the Moon and Earth on 19 and 20th August 2024, which was an excellent opportunity to test its instruments before its arrival at Jupiter in 2031. Here we evaluate the performances of one of its instruments, the Moon and Jupiter Imaging Spectrometer (MAJIS). We compared MAJIS observations of the Earth with measurements acquired on the same day by another instrument orbiting the Earth, and find an excellent match between the two instruments.
Marcel Snels, Stefania Stefani, Angelo Boccaccini, David Biondi, and Giuseppe Piccioni
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 7187–7197, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7187-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7187-2021, 2021
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A novel simulation chamber, PASSxS (Planetary Atmosphere Simulation System for Spectroscopy), has been developed for absorption measurements with a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) and possibly a cavity ring-down (CRD) spectrometer, with a sample temperature ranging from 100 K up to 550 K, while the pressure of the gas can be varied up to 60 bar. These temperature and pressure ranges cover a significant part of the planetary atmospheres in the solar system and possibly extrasolar planets.
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Editorial statement
The study presents new and timely results from MAJIS acquired during a recent flyby of the Moon. These are genuinely new data and analysis, and they directly demonstrate and advertise the capabilities of a flagship European instrument on its way to the Jovian system. The manuscript contributes beyond the calibration campaign of MAJIS itself with documenting new spectral data interesting to the wider lunar community
The study presents new and timely results from MAJIS acquired during a recent flyby of the Moon....
Short summary
This study presents a mineralogical analysis of lunar hyperspectral data acquired by JUICE/MAJIS during the Earth-Moon flyby. Focusing on Mare Tranquillitatis and Mare Fecunditatis, MAJIS spectra reveal prominent 1- and 2-µm absorption features characteristic of low- and high-Ca pyroxenes, confirming mafic mineral dominance and variations in regolith maturity. Consistency with legacy datasets (e.g., M³) validates MAJIS performance ahead of its primary mission in the Jovian system.
This study presents a mineralogical analysis of lunar hyperspectral data acquired by JUICE/MAJIS...
