Jupiter: The Giant of Our Solar System

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, with a mass more than twice that of all other planets combined. This gas giant, the fifth planet from the Sun, is a world of superlatives—from its massive size to its powerful storms and extensive moon system.

A Gas Giant

Jupiter has no solid surface. Instead, it's composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, with possible traces of heavier elements. As you descend into Jupiter, the gas gradually becomes denser and hotter, eventually transitioning into liquid metallic hydrogen under immense pressure deep within the planet.

The Great Red Spot

Jupiter's most iconic feature is the Great Red Spot, a massive storm system that has been raging for at least 400 years—since it was first observed by telescope. This anticyclonic storm is so large that Earth could fit inside it, though observations show it has been shrinking in recent decades.

A Miniature Solar System

Jupiter has at least 95 known moons, making it like a miniature solar system. Its four largest moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—were discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610 and are known as the Galilean moons. Europa, with its subsurface ocean, is considered one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life.

A Protective Shield

Jupiter's immense gravity acts as a cosmic vacuum cleaner, attracting comets and asteroids that might otherwise threaten the inner solar system. This protective role has likely been crucial in allowing life to develop on Earth by reducing the frequency of catastrophic impacts.