Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun. Since the discovery, people have already managed to sufficiently study it and make a complete picture.

Jupiter Overview

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and belongs to the group of gas giants. The object received its name in honor of the ancient Roman god who rules the sky and other deities.

During its existence, the planet managed to acquire a large number of satellites. At the moment, their number is 79. Due to its impressive size, Jupiter was noticed by ancient people: in Greece it was called the “Star of Zeus”, and astronomers from China described in detail the trajectory of the giant for twelve years.

Between Jupiter are Saturn and Mars. The structure of the planet consists of the atmosphere, several layers and the core. And the magnetic field of the celestial body has the shape of a flattened disk.

Interesting fact: Jupiter has an increased background radiation. The Galileo spacecraft in orbit received a radiation dose that is 2500% higher than the Earth's critical level.

In 1979, using the Voyager-1 probe, it was found that Jupiter has rings, you can only see them only at close range.

The size

The radius of Jupiter is 69 911 km, which makes it the largest planet in the solar system. For comparison, in the second largest celestial body - Saturn, this parameter is 57,350 km.

Scientists explain the large size of Jupiter in that it is the first planet that began to form in the vicinity of the Sun. She absorbed most of the substance and gas that were around the star billions of years ago. Later, the solar wind began to disperse everything around, but Jupiter was able to keep certain objects near it.

Interesting fact: Jupiter’s mass is twice as large as this parameter for the sum of all objects in the solar system, not counting the star itself.

Due to its size, Jupiter is clearly visible in the sky. Its surface reflects the sun's rays, which is why at night it can be seen as a white spot. Ancient civilizations mistook him for a star because of the bright glow.

The giant contains a large number of substances, and many of them are also found on other objects of the solar system. This once again hints that Jupiter may be the first planet. Also on its surfaces and in the bowels there are many processes that can be found on other celestial bodies.

Orbit of jupiter

The planet revolves around the sun in an oval path. It completes a complete revolution around the Sun in almost 12 earth years. The average distance to the star is 778 million km. Its speed of movement in space is 46 800 km / h, and the direction vector coincides with most planets of the system. Only Venus and Uranus move in the opposite direction.

Physical characteristics of Jupiter

Since Jupiter has incorporated the properties of many planets, it boasts quite interesting physical characteristics:

• the upper layer of the planet’s clouds has a pressure of one atmosphere, the temperature on their surface is -107 degrees Celsius; when deepened by 146 km, the pressure increases to 22 atmospheres, and the temperature rises to +156 degrees Celsius;
• the average diameter of the planet is 139,822 km, which is eleven earthly;
• surface area is 62.18 billion square meters. km;
• since Jupiter is a gas giant, its density is quite low: 1.33 g / cc;
• due to the high attractive force, the acceleration of gravity is 24.8 m / s;
• the mass of the planet is 1898 * E24, which exceeds the earth by 318 times.

In many ways, Jupiter is a leader among the planets of the solar system.

Composition, surface and structure

Jupiter is a mixture of liquid and gaseous substances.The atmospheric layer of the giant is made mainly of hydrogen (92%), the rest is helium (8%). Also, a small fraction of the substances above the surface are phosphine, sulfur, ethane, carbon, neon, hydrogen sulfide and methane.

Under the atmosphere is a layer of gaseous hydrogen, in which helium and other substances are also dissolved. When deepening into Jupiter, you can stumble upon the next layer of the planet, consisting of liquid hydrogen with similar impurities. And below it is the level of metallic hydrogen. In fact, the gas giant is a layer of hydrogen in different states with the presence of other substances in them.

At the very center of the celestial body is the core, and scientists still cannot come to the final conclusion whether it is perfectly round or has a rocky shape. Its presence was proved in 1997, when gravity was discovered on Jupiter. According to preliminary estimates, it consists of liquid metallic hydrogen and helium, and its mass can be from 4 to 14% of the entire planet.

It is also assumed that in the center of Jupiter the temperature is 35,700 degrees Celsius, and the pressure is 4,500 GPa. For comparison, it is believed that the surface temperature is 67 degrees Celsius, and the pressure is 10 bar. It must be clarified that these are only theoretical data, and in reality the parameters can be completely different. These values ​​were obtained only on the basis of surface studies and the study of the planet from a large distance, since modern probes are not able to get close to the upper layer due to the large radiation.

Atmosphere of jupiter

The gas giant has an atmosphere of 1000 km, in which the pressure varies from 20 to 220 kPA, which is a fairly high indicator. Most of the substances located above the surface are hydrogen (90%), the second most predominant component is helium (10%). Also, a small proportion is accounted for by other substances.

Astronomers divide the atmosphere into the following layers (from upper to lower):

• exosphere;
• thermosphere;
• stratosphere;
• tropopause;
• troposphere.

The composition of the levels does not practically change, only temperature and pressure differ. Moreover, if the first parameter gradually increases, the second decreases. Separately, a layer of the troposphere can be distinguished, where, due to the large heat loss, auroras appear.

Interesting fact: Wind speeds in the atmosphere of Jupiter can reach 600 km / h.

Due to changes in temperature, the predominance of hydrogen and high pressure, scientists periodically observe auroras at both poles.

Weather on Jupiter

Hurricanes and storms that can travel the planet at speeds up to 600 km / h are constantly walking on the surface of Jupiter. Moreover, their position and shape can vary significantly even within a couple of hours. A clear personification of all the violence that can happen on the planet is the Red Spot - a giant storm that is perfectly visible in without a strong approach. It is estimated that it has been going on for several Earth centuries.

Most of the planet is covered with thick clouds of white and brown. They are extended stripes with clear boundaries and move at individual speeds. Astronomers call them tropical areas. The formation of bands appears due to the chaotic directions of the air located at different heights.

There are areas on the gas giant where the air flows down. Such areas are dark brown in color and are called belts. Also, due to the nature of the air, there are white areas called zones.

In fact, the weather on Jupiter is an endless storm of impenetrable clouds that have a certain size, temperature and pressure.

The temperature of the planet Jupiter

Each layer of the planet has a certain temperature. Also, this parameter can vary greatly within the same level, depending on the conditions.Moreover, due to the impossibility of a detailed study of Jupiter due to large radiation, sometimes scientists can only assume what thermal conditions are in a certain area.

It is believed that the core of the gas giant is very hot, and inside it the temperature can reach 35,700 degrees Celsius. Around it is a thick layer of liquid metallic hydrogen. Astronomers still cannot study it well. However, the available data are enough to predict the possible temperature at this level. The transition of metallic hydrogen from solid to liquid requires a high temperature, but due to the high pressure that is present on Jupiter, it is sufficient to maintain this parameter in the range from 6,000 to 21,000 degrees Celsius.

On the surface of the giant, negative temperature prevails, which can reach up to -170 degrees. The lower atmosphere does not differ much in temperature, and its average parameter is -145.

On the upper layers of clouds, starting from an altitude of 320 km, thermal properties begin to increase. And at the border of the thermosphere and exosphere (about 1000 km), the temperature can already reach 600 degrees Celsius. Scientists still cannot explain why, as they rise from the surface, the climatic conditions in the atmosphere of Jupiter become hotter. According to all forecasts, the temperature of the upper layers should decrease or maintain the same indicators as in the tropopause.

Jupiter's moons

Jupiter has 79 satellites, which is the largest indicator among the planets of the solar system. The first of them was discovered by Galileo in 1610 using the telescope he invented. Watching the planet through the lenses, he almost immediately noticed four bright points located near the giant. Surprisingly, they were on the same line, but gradually moved around the planet.

Interesting fact: The discovery of satellites allowed Galileo to prove that not all objects in the universe revolve around the Earth. Because of this, he was persecuted by the Catholic Church, which claimed that the third planet from the Sun is the center of the universe.

The first four satellites were nicknamed "Galilean", they include:

1. And about. The nearest celestial body to Jupiter, has a diameter of 3 642 km. Due to the high sulfur content, its surface has a yellow color, and there are more than 400 active volcanoes on it, which is a record indicator among all objects of the solar system.
2. Europe. This satellite is famous for its smooth surface. The celestial body has a diameter of 3,120 km, and there are practically no craters on it. But there are cracks and stripes, which is why Europe has a gray-brown color.
3. Ganymede. It is the largest satellite in the solar system: its diameter is 5,268 km. The surface consists of areas dotted with craters, as well as rocky areas. Outwardly Ganymede is gray due to silicate rocks and ice lakes. There is an assumption that under ice there is water in a liquid state.
4. Callisto. The diameter of the satellite is 4,820 km, and it itself consists of ice and rocks. Since there is no strong radiation background around it, people do not rule out the future installation of a station to study Jupiter.

Following the four satellites discovered by Galileo, new ones gradually began to be added to their list. Astronomers actively studied the fifth planet and discovered bodies that were influenced by its attraction.

Big red spot

Due to the fact that Jupiter rotates too quickly around its axis, hurricanes regularly appear on its surface, which are easily distinguished by the individual colors of the clouds. They are long stripes and other sections that move at high speed.

In 1664, astronomers found a large red spot on the surface of the giant. It is a large storm, which still has not stopped.

Interesting fact: The size of the Red Spot is twice the size of the Earth.

However, long-term observations showed that starting in 1930, the hurricane began to gradually decrease. Moreover, with each year, the compression of the spot is happening faster. Perhaps in a few decades it will be difficult to distinguish it without a strong increase.

Radiation

Due to the high pressure inside the planet, hydrogen, which is the main component, is in a liquid state. Its electrons conduct electricity perfectly, which, combined with the fast rotation of the giant generates a powerful magnetic field. It attracts charged particles that are contained in the solar winds and moons of Jupiter. Some of them generate auroras at the poles of the planet, and the rest accelerate to high speeds, creating radioactive belts. The radiation in them is the most powerful in the solar system.

Rings of jupiter

Jupiter has rings, though they are not as noticeable as those of Saturn. They consist mainly of dust and small crumbs, which is held at the expense of the attractive force of the gas giant.

It is believed that the rings of Jupiter were formed due to the frequent collision of its satellites with asteroids. From the impact, small objects flew into outer space and were attracted by the planet, and its rapid rotation speed formed rings from them.

Distance to the Sun and Earth

The minimum distance to the star (perihelion) is 740.57 million km, and the maximum (aphelion) is 816.52 million km. The giant approaches the Earth at a distance of 588 million km, and moves away to 967 million km. The best time to watch a giant happens every 13 months. For example, in 2019, he came closest to Earth on June 10, and in 2020, Jupiter will be close on July 10.

Orbit rotation period

Jupiter makes a complete revolution around the Sun in 4,331 days; for this, it moves at a speed of 13 km / s. The giant’s orbit is inclined 6 degrees relative to the equator of the Sun. Moreover, due to its impressive size, the planet has a center of mass with the luminary, which is located outside the star.

Since Jupiter has a slight inclination of the axis - only 3.13 degrees, there is no change of seasons on it.

The origin of the name of the planet

Since Jupiter is clearly visible in the sky, in ancient times people gave it various names. The Romans nicknamed the giant in honor of their god of heaven and thunder. Even when Christianity was introduced on the territory of the state, ancient myths entered the life of the inhabitants so tightly that it was impossible to eradicate them. This situation has turned out with astronomy. Until now, many stars, planets and galaxies bear the names of the ancient gods, and Jupiter is no exception.

Planet age

You can’t say exactly when exactly Jupiter appeared. Since the planet is completely composed of gases, and any technology quickly fails as it approaches the surface, scientists have no way to take soil samples and make any analyzes.

It is believed that Jupiter appeared 4.6 billion years ago when the solar system formed. After the supernova explosion in the space where the planets are now, a cloud of gas and dust arose. The blast wave exerted strong pressure on him, due to which seals began to form in certain places. Gradually, they turned into planets.

How Jupiter was formed

Jupiter was formed from hydrogen and helium, which were in space in the early stages of the appearance of the solar system. Small particles gradually collided with each other and merged into a single whole until they turned into a gas giant.

Since the planet is large, scientists suggest that it appeared before the objects of the earth's group, since nothing prevented it from absorbing gas in space.

According to preliminary estimates, Jupiter was formed over several million years. Gases gradually collected into a single whole, forming a circle of gigantic proportions.

Study history

The planet is clearly visible from the Earth, because of which they knew about its existence in Babylon in the VIII century BC. Ptolemy in the II century created a geocentric model and determined that Jupiter makes a revolution around the Earth in 4332 days. Three hundred years later, the mathematician Ariabhata repeated the experiments of the astronomer and specified the period of circulation up to hours.

In the year 1610, Galileo examined the gas giant with a telescope and discovered four satellites orbiting it. This prompted the scientist to the idea that not all celestial objects move around the Earth. Also thanks to this, the validity of the heliocentric model, which claims that the planets move around the Sun, was proved.

In the 1660s, the study of Jupiter was begun by the astronomer Cassini, who used an improved model of the telescope, allowing to achieve greater magnification. After 30 years, he described in detail the rotation of the giant around its axis, and also identified zones in the atmosphere that rotate at different speeds.

Heinrich Schwabe was the first to discover the Great Red Spot in 1831. The scientist gave the hurricane a detailed description, but he did not have enough data to accurately explain the reason for the formation of this phenomenon.

In 1892, the fifth satellite of Jupiter, Almatei, was discovered. E. Bernard saw her through a telescope. In 1955, due to radio waves and their interaction with objects in space, the exact rotation speed of the gas giant was determined.

From the second half of the 19th century to this day, continuous monitoring of Jupiter has been conducted. Astronomers collect information about the object and try to make a complete picture of it. But technology has yet to take a big step forward before the probes can get close to the surface of Jupiter.