| Name Origin | Jupiter |
| Aphelion | 816.363 Gm (5.4570 AU) |
| Perihelion | 740.595 Gm (4.9506 AU) |
| Semi-major axis | 778.479 Gm (5.2038 AU) |
| Eccentricity | 0.0489 |
| Orbital period (sidereal) | 1.862 yr 4,332.59 d 10,476.8 Jovian solar days |
| Orbital period (synodic) Average orbital speed Mean anomaly Inclination | Orbital period (synodic) 13.07 km/s (8.12 mi/s) 20.020° 1.303° to ecliptic 6.09° to Sun's equator 0.32° to invariable plane |
| Longitude of ascending node | 100.464° |
| Time of perihelion | 21 January 2023 |
| Argument of perihelion | 273.867° |
| Known satellites | satellites 95 (as of 2023) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mean radius | 69,911 km (43,441 mi) 10.973 of Earth's |
| Equatorial radius | 71,492 km (44,423 mi) 11.209 R (of Earth's) 0.10045 R☉ (of Sun's) |
| Polar radius | 66,854 km (41,541 mi) 10.517 of Earth's |
| Flattening | 0.06487 |
| Surface area | 6.1469×1010 km2 (2.3733×1010 sq mi) 120.4 of Earth's |
| Volume | 1.4313×1015 km3 (3.434×1014 cu mi) 1,321 of Earth's |
| Mass | 1.8982×1027 kg (4.1848×1027 lb) 317.8 of Earth's 1/1047 of Sun's |
| Mean density | 1,326 kg/m3 (2,235 lb/cu yd) |
| Surface gravity | 24.79 m/s2 (81.3 ft/s2) 2.528 g |
| Moment of inertia factor | 0.2756±0.0006 |
| Escape velocity | 59.5 km/s (37.0 mi/s) |
| Synodic rotation period | 9.9258 h (9 h 55 m 33 s) |
| Sidereal rotation period | 9.9250 hours (9 h 55 m 30 s) |
| Equatorial rotation velocity | 12.6 km/s (7.8 mi/s; 45,000 km/h) |
| Axial tilt | 3.13° (to orbit) |
| North pole right ascension | 268.057°; 17h 52m 14s |
| North pole declination | 64.495° |
| Albedo | 0.503 (Bond) 0.538 (geometric) |
| Temperature | 88 K (−185 °C) (blackbody temperature) |
| Surface temp. | min mean max |
| 1 bar | 165 K 165 K |
| 0.1 bar | 78 K 128 K |
| Apparent magnitude | −2.94 to −1.66 |
| Angular diameter | 29.8" to 50.1" |
| Atmosphere | |
| Surface pressure | 200–600 kPa (30–90 psi) (opaque cloud deck) |
| Scale height | 27 km (17 mi) |
| Composition by volume | 89%±2.0% hydrogen 10%±2.0% helium 0.3%±0.1% methane 0.026%±0.004% ammonia 0.0028%±0.001% hydrogen deuteride 0.0006%±0.0002% ethane 0.0004%±0.0004% water |
Are you fascinated by the mysteries of our solar system? Do you want to learn more about the largest planet in our solar system? If so, then read on. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the wonders of Planet Jupiter, its place in the solar system, its size, composition, and atmosphere, its moons, history of exploration, current missions, interesting facts, viewing from Earth, and the future of studying Jupiter.
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the sun and the largest planet in our solar system. It is a gas giant, meaning that it is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter is named after the Roman king of the gods, who was also known as the god of thunder and lightning. It is one of the brightest objects in the night sky and can easily be seen by the naked eye.
Jupiter's Place in the Solar System
Jupiter is located between Mars and Saturn, and it is the first of the gas giants in our solar system. It is also the largest planet in our solar system, with a diameter of approximately 86,881 miles. Jupiter is so large that it could hold all of the other planets in our solar system inside of it. It has a very strong gravitational pull, which has a significant impact on the other planets in our solar system.
Jupiter's Size, Composition, and Atmosphere
As mentioned earlier, Jupiter is a gas giant, which means that it is primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. It also contains small amounts of methane, ammonia, and water vapor. Jupiter has a very thick atmosphere, which is made up of several layers of clouds. These clouds are made up of different types of gases, such as ammonia, methane, and water vapor.
One of the most interesting features of Jupiter's atmosphere is the Great Red Spot, which is a giant storm that has been raging for over 300 years. This storm is larger than the size of the Earth and is easily visible from telescopes on Earth.
Jupiter's Moons
Jupiter has a total of 95 known moons, making it the planet with the largest number of moons in our solar system. The four largest moons of Jupiter are known as the Galilean moons, named after the astronomer Galileo Galilei who discovered them in 1610. These moons are Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
Each of these moons is unique and has its own set of characteristics. For example, Io is the most volcanically active object in our solar system, while Europa is believed to have a subsurface ocean that may contain life.
History of Exploration of Jupiter
Jupiter has been known to astronomers since ancient times, and it has been observed through telescopes since the early 1600s. The first spacecraft to visit Jupiter was Pioneer 10, which flew by the planet in December 1973. Since then, there have been several other missions to Jupiter, including Voyager 1 and 2, which flew by the planet in 1979, and the Galileo spacecraft, which orbited the planet from 1995 to 2003.
Current Missions to Jupiter
Currently, there are two missions to Jupiter that are actively exploring the planet. The first is the Juno spacecraft, which has been in orbit around Jupiter since July 2016. The mission is focused on studying Jupiter's atmosphere, magnetic field, and interior structure.
The second mission is the Europa Clipper, which is currently in development and is scheduled to launch in the 2020s. The mission is focused on studying Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, which is believed to have a subsurface ocean that may contain life.
Interesting Facts About Jupiter
- Jupiter is a fascinating planet with many interesting facts. Here are just a few:
- Jupiter is so large that it could hold all of the other planets in our solar system inside of it.
- Jupiter has the shortest day of any planet in our solar system, with a day lasting only 9 hours and 56 minutes.
- Jupiter has a very strong magnetic field, which is 14 times stronger than Earth's magnetic field.
- The Great Red Spot on Jupiter is a giant storm that has been raging for over 300 years.
- Ganymede, one of Jupiter's moons, is the largest moon in our solar system.
Viewing Jupiter from Earth
Jupiter is one of the brightest objects in the night sky and can easily be seen by the naked eye. It is best viewed when it is close to opposition, which is when it is directly opposite the sun in the sky. This occurs approximately every 13 months.
To view Jupiter, you will need a telescope or binoculars. The best time to view Jupiter is when it is high in the sky, which is typically between 9 pm and midnight.
The Future of Studying Jupiter
Jupiter is a fascinating planet with many mysteries yet to be uncovered. There are several missions in development that will continue to explore Jupiter and its moons in the coming years. These missions will provide us with valuable information about the planet's atmosphere, magnetic field, and interior structure.
As we continue to study Jupiter, we will gain a better understanding of our solar system and the universe as a whole. Who knows what other mysteries we will uncover as we continue to explore this fascinating planet.
Jupiter is a remarkable planet that has fascinated astronomers and scientists for centuries. Its size, composition, and atmosphere make it a unique object in our solar system, and its moons provide us with valuable insights into the origins of our universe.
As we continue to explore Jupiter, we will gain a better understanding of our solar system and the universe as a whole. So, the next time you look up at the night sky and see Jupiter shining brightly, remember that there is still so much more to discover about this incredible planet.
