The Largest Planet in the Solar System: Jupiter

Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun in our Solar System. It is a huge, gas giant planet with a mass of 2.5 times that of all the other planets combined! This makes it the largest planet in our Solar System by far—120,000 km in diameter, compared to Earth’s mere 12,700 km. It is the biggest planet in the Solar System.

Jupiter’s Impressive Physical Characteristics

Jupiter’s gaseous atmosphere is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, with other trace elements making up less than 1%. Jupiter’s interior structure is unknown, but it is believed to consist of a small core surrounded by layers of electrically conductive fluid, and possibly a rocky core of ice and silicates.

The planet also has a huge magnetic field which is 20,000 times as powerful as Earth’s and is responsible for the Auroras or Northern and Southern Lights seen from Earth. Additionally, it is a huge heat generator due to its quick rotation and high levels of radiation.

Surprising Facts about Jupiter

Jupiter has 67 known moons, the four of which were discovered by Galileo Galilei; the others have since been discovered in the 20th and 21st centuries. The four core moons are Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, which are collectively known as the Galilean moons. Jupiter has a significant influence on terrestrial astrology.

Astronomers believe that Jupiter was formed in a region of space close to the Sun, with enough dust and gas to form a planet. Its massive gravity has prevented much of the dust and gas in this region from becoming other planets, allowing Jupiter to grow larger.

Jupiter is a remarkable planet and its sheer size and mass make it unique in our Solar System. Its huge gravity has an effect on other planets, and its strong magnetic field has an influence on Earth. Its many moons make it truly extraordinary. The exploration of this giant planet is ongoing, and the more we learn about it the further our understanding of the Solar System and its planets grows.