Jupiter stands out as the most colossal planet in the Solar System.. Its diameter exceeds 139.000 kilometers, which makes it about 11 times larger than our own planet. Not only does it dominate in size, but its mass represents the majority of planetary material of the solar neighborhood. Beneath its vibrant and colorful appearance lies a groundless world, made up mainly of hydrogen and helium, whose atmosphere shows large cloud bands and permanent storms.
Since ancient times, mankind has contemplated Jupiter and wondered about its atmospheric enigmas, its dizzying rotation —it only takes 10 hours to orbit—and the enormous family of moons that accompany it. Scientific exploration has revealed Extreme phenomena, discrete rings and satellites with a high probability of hosting life.
A planet without soil: internal structure and atmosphere
Jupiter's composition is dominated by hydrogen at 90% and helium at around 10%, although elements such as ammonia, methane, and water vapor can be detected in its atmosphere. It lacks a solid surface: if someone were to attempt to descend, they would encounter ever-increasing pressure and extreme temperatures, eventually falling into a sea of gases that transform into liquids under crushing pressure.
Behind the upper clouds, the pressure increases so rapidly that any ship, human or technology today would be destroyed long before reaching hypothetical lower layers, where hydrogen becomes a metallic liquid, a fundamental phenomenon for the intense Jovian magnetic fieldTo better understand these features, you can consult The hidden secrets of Jupiter's atmosphere.
Instead of a firm platform, Jupiter's "floor" is a chasm of enormous pressures and temperaturesThe Great Red Spot, visible even with home telescopes, is an anticyclonic storm larger than Earth, active for centuries. Its atmosphere is swept by winds exceeding 400 km/h and displays colored bands due to the differences in chemical composition and temperature between different areas.
Galilean moons and the worlds hidden under the ice
Around him, Jupiter sports a real mini-solar system with more than 90 confirmed moons. Four of them are so large and remarkable that Galileo Galilei dedicated his first telescopic observations to them in 1610:
- Io, the most volcanic of all, with constant eruptions due to the planet's gravitational pull.
- Europe, beneath whose icy crust a global ocean is believed to lie; it is one of the priority locations in the search for life beyond Earth.
- Ganymede, the largest moon in the entire Solar System, even larger than the planet Mercury.
- Calisto, with evidence of liquid water beneath its surface. Future missions such as the exploration of Jupiter's satellites.
Future space missions, such as NASA Europa Clipper and the European probe JUICE, focus their objectives on these satellites and the possible presence of underground oceans capable of hosting microbial life.
Rings and other striking features
Although they often go unnoticed, Jupiter has rings. They are not as spectacular as Saturn's, but they do exist and are made up primarily of dust. These rings were detected in 1979 thanks to images from the Voyager 1 probe. Their origin lies in the impact of small meteorites on some of the inner moons, which release material into Jovian space. Understanding these phenomena is part of the Scientific advances in the exploration of the Solar System.
In addition to its enormous magnetosphere, Jupiter has polar lights so powerful that they surpass the Earth's and extend over its poles from the interaction with particles of the solar wind.
Jupiter as a shield and planetary laboratory
Jupiter's role in the Solar System goes beyond its size: its enormous gravity acts as a protective shield for Earth and other inner planets, deflecting or capturing potentially dangerous comets and asteroids. Furthermore, their presence stabilizes the orbits of other bodies and contributes to the dynamic balance of the planetary region.
Jupiter Exploration: From Pioneer to Juno
Numerous space missions have visited Jupiter. Pioneer 10 and 11 were the first to approach, followed by the famous Voyager 1 and 2, who discovered its rings and studied the Great Red Spot. Later, the probe Galileo provided data on the moons and atmosphere, while the spacecraft is currently Juno investigates Jupiter's internal composition and magnetic field. In the coming years, further advances are expected with missions dedicated to its most promising moons. To learn more about these advances, visit Jupiter and its superstorm with the Juno probe.
Frequently asked questions about this gas giant usually revolve around:
- Why is Jupiter so big? It formed early from the original gaseous remnants, before the Sun dissipated most of the material.
- Can Jupiter be seen from Earth? It is one of the brightest points in the night sky and visible to the naked eye as a prominent "star."
- What happens if we try to land on Jupiter? It would be impossible: there is no firm surface and the conditions destroy any existing craft or material.
Observation and study of Jupiter continue to provide answers and new questions about the formation of planetary systems and the dynamics of extreme worlds. Its influence on cosmic equilibrium is indisputable, and its icy moons attract the attention of those searching for signs of life elsewhere in the universe.
