The Gas Giant

Jupiter

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest world in our Solar System. Its atmosphere is shaped into colourful bands by powerful winds and rapid rotation.

The planet is made mainly of hydrogen and helium and has no solid surface. Deep inside, immense pressure transforms the gas into exotic forms of liquid and metallic hydrogen.

Diameter

142,984 km

Day length

9h 56m

Year length

11.86 Earth years

Known moons

101

Giant storm

The Great Red Spot

This enormous high-pressure storm has been observed for centuries. It is wider than Earth and is surrounded by fast, turbulent cloud bands.

Galilean moons

Io, Europa, Ganymede & Callisto

Jupiter's four largest moons are worlds of their own: volcanic Io, ocean-bearing Europa, giant Ganymede and heavily cratered Callisto.

Distance from Sun

About 778.5 million km

Average temperature

Around −110°C

Gravity

24.79 m/s²

Composition

Hydrogen and helium