Juipter

Jupiter Gets its Close-Up – National Geographic Education BlogJupiter is the largest planet in our solar system—a gas giant over 11 times wider than Earth and twice as massive as all other planets combined. It serves as a solar system "shield," using its immense gravity to influence asteroid orbits. It features the centuries-old Great Red Spot storm, holds over 60 known moons, and is currently being studied by the Juno mission. Wikipedia Wikipedia +4 Key Facts About Jupiter Role in Solar System: As the largest planet, Jupiter's massive gravity acts as a gravitational anchor, impacting the orbits of other planets and protecting the inner solar system by attracting or scattering comets and asteroids. Gravity: Jupiter has a powerful gravitational pull, roughly 2.528 g 2 . 5 2 8 𝑔 at its "surface" (about 2.5 times that of Earth). The Great Red Spot: This is a massive, centuries-old anticyclonic storm larger than Earth, characterized by intense, towering winds. Moons: Jupiter has a vast system of moons, with at least 61 confirmed, including the four large Galilean moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto). Atmosphere & Composition: Being a gas giant, it lacks a true surface and is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium. It features rapid rotation, with a day lasting only 9.9 hours. Missions: Key missions include Pioneer 10 and 11, Voyager 1 and 2, Galileo, Cassini, New Horizons, and currently, the Juno spacecraft. The Europa Clipper, launched in 2024, is currently on its way to study Jupiter's icy moon. NASA Science (.gov) NASA Science (.gov) +4 Environment Temperature: Average temperatures are extremely cold, around -110 ∘ C − 1 1 0 ∘ C ( -160 ∘ F − 1 6 0 ∘ F ), though the interior is much hotter. Storms: Jupiter's storms are far more intense than Earth's, reaching heights of over 100 kilometers.