Jupiter is the 5th planet in the solar system and the first of the gas planets. This means that is not primarily composed of solid matter. The majority of the masses in the form of gaseous hydrogen and helium.
Jupiter is also the largest planet on the solar system with an equatorial diameter a nearly 143,000 kilometers. That makes it over eleven times the size of earth.
Jupiter makes it orbit of the sun in 433,000 days. However, its rotational period is the fastest of any planet.
It makes a full rotation on its axis in under 10 hours.
Earth based telescopes are able to see what is called the “great red spot” on Jupiter. This is in fact a huge storm that is larger than the size of earth. That is been going on for over 340 years.
Mathematical models say the storm is stable, and maybe a permanent feature on the planet.
Jupiter has at least 63 moons, but extensive research has been done in Europa because of its possibility of having a liquid ocean.
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