[mazda77]

If Juno is in orbit and they say this picture was taken after it got there, what would be the purpose of having a lens at that aspect if they want to use it to study the planet?

From what we have of the Hubble images, they are far better.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

From http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/spacecraft/index.html

Juno's scientific payload includes:

A gravity/radio science system (Gravity Science)
A six-wavelength microwave radiometer for atmospheric sounding and composition (MWR)
A vector magnetometer (MAG)
Plasma and energetic particle detectors (JADE and JEDI)
A radio/plasma wave experiment (Waves)
An ultraviolet imager/spectrometer (UVS)
An infrared imager/spectrometer (JIRAM)

The spacecraft will also carry a color camera, called JunoCam, to provide the public with the first detailed glimpse of Jupiter's poles. [Emphasis added]

So, the snapshot camera is a public relations tool. It's mission is scientific. It's like a cheap digital camera you give a little kid on a long trip to keep him amused.

[Bullish]

If Juno is in orbit and they say this picture was taken after it got there, what would be the purpose of having a lens at that aspect if they want to use it to study the planet?

[cabojoe]

At closest approach the spacecraft was turned around traveling engine first...they didn’t take pictures because of that and the fact that the burn to slow down to get into an initial orbit was more important than pictures. Juno is in a highly elliptical initial orbit so it is traveling away from Jupiter now. That’s why the Jupiter looks distant...it is distant.

[bert]

Patience...... wait until August 27 and then say that