Key Takeaways
- Largest planet in solar system - over 1,300 Earths could fit inside Jupiter
- Famous Great Red Spot storm has raged for over 300 years
- Has 95 known moons including the four large Galilean satellites
Table of Contents
The Largest Planet in Our Solar System
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system by a long way. If you were to combine all of the other planets in our solar system together, Jupiter would still be over two and a half times bigger! This gas giant dominates the outer solar system with its immense size and powerful gravitational influence.
Named after the supreme god in Roman mythology, Jupiter was the god of the sky, heavens and law. The planet's massive presence in our night sky has inspired astronomers and stargazers for thousands of years.
Jupiter is mainly composed of hydrogen and helium, the same as the Sun. In fact, if Jupiter had formed 80 times bigger than what it is now, it would have become a star rather than a planet.
The Galilean Moons
Jupiter has 4 main moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Collectively these 4 moons are called the Galilean satellites after the astronomer Galileo Galilei who first discovered them in the year 1610. These massive moons are fascinating worlds in their own right, each with unique characteristics.
Ganymede is the largest moon in our solar system, even larger than the planet Mercury. Europa is believed to have a subsurface ocean that may harbor conditions suitable for life. Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system, while Callisto's ancient, heavily cratered surface tells the story of our solar system's violent past.
Jupiter's Extensive Moon System
At last count Jupiter has a total of 62 moons, although only 49 have been officially named so far. Beyond the four Galilean moons, most of Jupiter's other satellites are much smaller, usually no more than 4km across. These minor moons are likely captured asteroids that fell under Jupiter's gravitational influence.
Jupiter's 62 Known Moons
2. Europa
3. Ganymede
4. Callisto
5. Amalthea
6. Himalia
7. Elara
8. Pasiphae
9. Sinope
10. Lysithea
11. Carme
12. Ananke
13. Leda
14. Thebe
15. Adrastea
16. Metis
17. Callirrhoe
18. Themisto
19. Megaclite
20. Taygete
21. Chaldene
23. Kalyke
24. Iocaste
25. Erinome
26. Isonoe
27. Praxidike
28. Autonoe
29. Thyone
30. Hermippe
31. Aitne
32. Eurydome
33. Euanthe
34. Euporie
35. Orthosie
36. Sponde
37. Kale
38. Pasithee
39. Hegemone
40. Mneme
41. Aoede
42. Thelxinoe
44. Kallichore
45. Helike
46. Carpo
47. Eukelade
48. Cyllene
49. Kore
50. S/2003 J2
51. S/2003 J3
52. S/2003 J4
53. S/2003 J5
54. S/2003 J9
55. S/2003 J10
56. S/2003 J12
57. S/2003 J15
58. S/2003 J16
59. S/2003 J17
60. S/2003 J18
61. S/2003 J19
62. S/2003 J23
Images of Jupiter from Voyager 1
The Voyager 1 spacecraft provided humanity with its first close-up views of Jupiter and its complex atmospheric dynamics. These historic images revealed details of the Great Red Spot and captured the dynamic nature of Jupiter's atmosphere.
The Great Red Spot, a massive storm larger than Earth
A series of pictures taken by Voyager 1 showing atmospheric movement. Click to see the animated version.
Voyager 1 picture of Jupiter and its largest moon Ganymede
Images from New Horizons
In February 2007, the New Horizons spacecraft passed Jupiter on its way to Pluto, capturing stunning images of the planet and its volcanic moon Io. These images provided unprecedented views of Io's volcanic activity and the interaction between Jupiter and its moons.
Jupiter and Io. The picture of Io was taken separately and digitally imposed over Jupiter. You can clearly see a plume from the volcano Tvashtar.
Credit: NASA, Johns Hopkins U. APL, SWRI
Excellent detailed image of Jupiter's volcanic moon Io
Credit: NASA, JHU/APL, SwRI - Additional Processing: Sean Walker
Click to see an amazing animation of the Io volcano Tvashtar erupting. Lava sprays 330 kilometers up and falls back to the surface. Made from five images over eight minutes.
Credit: NASA / JHUAPL / SwRI
