JUPITER
Planet No. 5 • Giant of the Solar System
Welcome to the Jupiter information file! Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet in our solar system. This enormous world is covered in colorful bands of clouds, powerful storms and swirling winds. Jupiter is so large that more than 1,000 Earths could fit inside it by volume!
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PLANET OVERVIEW
Jupiter is a gas giant made mostly of hydrogen and helium. Unlike Earth, Mars or Mercury, Jupiter does not have a solid surface that a spacecraft could land on. Its atmosphere becomes denser and hotter the deeper you travel into the planet.
Jupiter is famous for its colorful stripes and enormous storms. The planet also has a powerful magnetic field and a huge family of moons, making the Jupiter system almost like a miniature solar system of its own.
Jupiter is famous for its colorful stripes and enormous storms. The planet also has a powerful magnetic field and a huge family of moons, making the Jupiter system almost like a miniature solar system of its own.
☀ LOCATION
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun. Its average distance from the Sun is about 484 million miles.
SIZE
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It has an equatorial diameter of about 88,846 miles, making it more than 11 times wider than Earth.
GREAT RED SPOT
The Great Red Spot is a gigantic storm in Jupiter's atmosphere. Astronomers have observed this famous storm for centuries, although its size and appearance change over time.
☁ ATMOSPHERE
Jupiter's atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium. Powerful winds stretch its clouds into the light and dark bands visible from space.
✦ JUPITER FAST FACTS ✦
| Position from Sun | 5th planet |
| Planet Type | Gas Giant |
| Length of Year | About 11.86 Earth years |
| Length of Day | About 9 hours and 56 minutes |
| Moons | Many moons, including Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto |
| Rings | Yes — a faint ring system |
| Equatorial Diameter | About 88,846 miles |
| Main Ingredients | Hydrogen and helium |
| Famous Feature | The Great Red Spot |
WHAT IS JUPITER LIKE?
Jupiter does not have a solid surface like Earth. What we see when looking at the planet is actually the top of its enormous atmosphere. Its clouds form colorful belts and zones that wrap around the planet.
One of Jupiter's most famous features is the Great Red Spot, a huge swirling storm in the planet's southern hemisphere. Winds inside the storm can reach hundreds of miles per hour.
Deep beneath the visible clouds, pressure becomes enormous. Scientists think hydrogen is compressed into an unusual liquid metallic form inside Jupiter. Even deeper is a dense central region containing heavier elements.
One of Jupiter's most famous features is the Great Red Spot, a huge swirling storm in the planet's southern hemisphere. Winds inside the storm can reach hundreds of miles per hour.
Deep beneath the visible clouds, pressure becomes enormous. Scientists think hydrogen is compressed into an unusual liquid metallic form inside Jupiter. Even deeper is a dense central region containing heavier elements.
★ DID YOU KNOW? ★
Jupiter has the shortest day of any planet in our solar system! Even though Jupiter is enormous, it spins around once in only about 10 hours. This rapid rotation causes the planet to bulge around its equator.
Jupiter has the shortest day of any planet in our solar system! Even though Jupiter is enormous, it spins around once in only about 10 hours. This rapid rotation causes the planet to bulge around its equator.
SPACECRAFT MISSION LOG
> DESTINATION: JUPITER
> PIONEER 10 & 11
The first spacecraft to travel through the Jupiter system, sending back close-up observations of the giant planet.
> VOYAGER 1 & 2
Flew past Jupiter in 1979 and returned detailed images of the planet, its rings and its moons. Voyager 1 also revealed active volcanoes on Io.
> GALILEO
Became the first spacecraft to orbit Jupiter. Galileo studied the planet and its moons for almost eight years and released a probe into Jupiter's atmosphere.
> JUNO
Entered orbit around Jupiter in 2016. Juno studies Jupiter's atmosphere, magnetic field, gravity and internal structure while returning detailed images of its clouds.
> STATUS:
EXPLORATION OF THE JUPITER SYSTEM CONTINUES...
> PIONEER 10 & 11
The first spacecraft to travel through the Jupiter system, sending back close-up observations of the giant planet.
> VOYAGER 1 & 2
Flew past Jupiter in 1979 and returned detailed images of the planet, its rings and its moons. Voyager 1 also revealed active volcanoes on Io.
> GALILEO
Became the first spacecraft to orbit Jupiter. Galileo studied the planet and its moons for almost eight years and released a probe into Jupiter's atmosphere.
> JUNO
Entered orbit around Jupiter in 2016. Juno studies Jupiter's atmosphere, magnetic field, gravity and internal structure while returning detailed images of its clouds.
> STATUS:
EXPLORATION OF THE JUPITER SYSTEM CONTINUES...