Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System and the fifth planet from the Sun.
Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System and the fifth planet from the Sun.
Jupiter is more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined,
Jupiter is more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined,
according to NASA. Jupiter's immense volume could hold more than 1,300 Earths.
according to NASA. Jupiter's immense volume could hold more than 1,300 Earths.
If Jupiter were the size of a basketball, Earth would be the size of a grapefruit.
If Jupiter were the size of a basketball, Earth would be the size of a grapefruit.
Jupiter was probably the first planet to form in the solar system,
Jupiter was probably the first planet to form in the solar system,
made up of gasses left over from the formation of the sun.
made up of gasses left over from the formation of the sun.
If the planet had been about 80 times more massive during its development,
If the planet had been about 80 times more massive during its development,
According to NASA, it may have actually become a star in its own right.
According to NASA, it may have actually become a star in its own right.
On average, Jupiter orbits at about 483,682,810 miles (778,412,020 kilometers) from the sun.
On average, Jupiter orbits at about 483,682,810 miles (778,412,020 kilometers) from the sun.
That's 5.203 times farther than Earth's average distance from the sun.
That's 5.203 times farther than Earth's average distance from the sun.
At perihelion, when Jupiter is closest to the sun, the planet is 460,276,100 miles (740,742,600 km) away.
At perihelion, when Jupiter is closest to the sun, the planet is 460,276,100 miles (740,742,600 km) away.
At aphelion or the farthest distance that Jupiter reaches from the sun, it is 507,089,500 miles (816,081,400 km) away.
At aphelion or the farthest distance that Jupiter reaches from the sun, it is 507,089,500 miles (816,081,400 km) away.
Jupiter's atmosphere resembles that of the sun, made up mostly of hydrogen and helium.
Jupiter's atmosphere resembles that of the sun, made up mostly of hydrogen and helium.
A helium-rich layer of fluid metallic hydrogen envelops a “fuzzy” or partially-dissolved core at the center of the planet.
A helium-rich layer of fluid metallic hydrogen envelops a “fuzzy” or partially-dissolved core at the center of the planet.
The colorful light and dark bands that surround Jupiter are created by strong east-west winds in the planet's upper atmosphere traveling more than 335 mph (539 km/h).
The colorful light and dark bands that surround Jupiter are created by strong east-west winds in the planet's upper atmosphere traveling more than 335 mph (539 km/h).
White clouds in the light regions are composed of crystals of frozen ammonia, while dark clouds made of other chemicals are found in the dark belt.
White clouds in the light regions are composed of crystals of frozen ammonia, while dark clouds made of other chemicals are found in the dark belt.
There are blue clouds at the deepest visible levels. Far from being stationary, the stripes of clouds change over time.
There are blue clouds at the deepest visible levels. Far from being stationary, the stripes of clouds change over time.