23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Artistic
Jupiter Unmasked

Every planet emits radio waves. Some waves are directed down to the surface of the planet. When the radio wave contacts the surface, it absorbs information about its structure, composition, texture and color. This data is converted into pixels, then reflected back through the atmospheric clouds and haze into space towards earth. Once it's in range, my camera converts the pixel data into an image that I can photograph it. There is a pulsating whole planet image embedded in the radio wave. However, there is no sign of atmospheric clouds or haze in the image. The atmospheric particles are small, and the radio wave wavelength is long so, the particles may not reflect and scatter the radio wave efficiently enough to create an image. So, what is left is an unobstructed surface view of planet Jupiter.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2023
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: Honolulu, Hi, United States of America
Camera: Canon PowerShot SX720 HS
Copyright: © Kenneth Carroll