The largest planet in the solar system. A gaseous giant with a tormented atmosphere, it has a famous storm: the Great Red Spot.
- Diamètre142,984 km
- Inclinaison3.12°
- Masse 1,8986x10^27 kg
- Temp. moy.-163 °C
- Pér. rotation9h 55min 27,3s
- Vit. rotation47,051 km/h
- Pér. révolution4,332.01 jours
- Vit. orbitale13.059 km/s
- Périhélie740,680,000 km
- Aphélie816,000,000 km
The gas giant planet.
Characteristics
Jupiter is one of the four gaseous planets, distinguishable by its beige-brown color bands, it is the largest and most massive planet in the solar system.
It takes about 12 years to complete a full circle around the Sun.
Jupiter, like the other gaseous planets, does not have a solid surface but probably a rocky core.
It is home to a huge anticyclone called 'The Great Red Spot' whose size is currently about 15,000 km, which is larger than the diameter of Earth.
Flattening
Jupiter is not a perfect sphere, it is flattened at the poles by centrifugal effect due to its rapid rotation period.
Composition
Jupiter is composed of about 90% hydrogen and 10% helium.
Magnetosphere
Jupiter’s magnetic field is 14 times more powerful than that of Earth.
Moons
Jupiter has 97 natural satelites, including 4 very large: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto named 'Galilean moons'.
Rings
Jupiter has several planetary rings composed of dust particles. These rings are very thin and dark.