Eleven times the size of Earth, Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System. It is made up almost entirely of gas and in it the winds go at a speed of more than 600 km / hour. This ball of gas and liquid is 145,000 kilometers wide and has a ring system similar to that of Saturn. For astronomers, it is quite a challenge, since its unique characteristics make it a laboratory for research.
Despite its immense mass, it is the planet that rotates the fastest, so a day on Jupiter lasts 9 hours and 50 minutes.
The most recent space missions attempt to unravel the mysteries of the giant of the Solar System
In the Galileo mission that took place in 1989, observations were made of Jupiter. It has been observed that in some areas there are storms so intense that they could engulf a planet three times the size of Earth. Scientists hoped to find a world without any trace of life, but in some of its moons it is believed that there could be water and, therefore, some form of life.
The more than 60 moons of Jupiter powerfully attract attention, as they are very active from a geological point of view. Scientists believe that it is possible that the giant of the Solar System is contracting and for this reason it gives off large amounts of energy.
The Great Red Spot and the curious clouds of the giant of the Solar System
Jupiter's Great Red Spot has been observed in different space projects. It is a hurricane twice the size of Earth. At present some of its characteristics are still unknown.
In its northern hemisphere there are strange swirling clouds that cover its atmosphere with a unique appearance. The ingredients in these clouds are not known for sure.
The observations of both phenomena raise all kinds of doubts (for example, scientists do not know if there is a solid core inside Jupiter and the exact operation of its magnetic fields is also unknown). The Juno space probe is dedicated to the analysis of this curious planet and the great challenge is to know what its interior is made of. The researchers believe that once the mystery about the composition of its interior is known, it will be possible to better understand how the solar system was formed.
Six curiosities
- After the Sun, the Moon and Venus, it is the brightest planet in the Solar System.
- Its name comes from the most powerful god in Roman mythology, which corresponds to the god Zeus in Greek mythology.
- Its orbit around the Sun lasts for 11 Earth years.
- Ganymede is one of its moons and is the largest in the Solar System.
- Its four largest moons are known as Galilean moons.
- Jupiter's magnetic field is extremely powerful and totally different from other planets.
Fotolia photos: Orlando Florin Rosu / Jema
