Jupiter

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in our solar system.

Jupiter is 318 times heavier than Earth and over 1,300 times bigger in volume. Being five times farther from the Sun than Earth, it takes Jupiter about 12 Earth years to complete one trip around the Sun.

Unlike Earth, Jupiter does not have a solid surface, and its dense liquid center is surrounded by hydrogen and helium gases.

Jupiter’s gaseous composition is evident in its atmosphere, where swirling ammonia clouds form colorful bands that rotate around the planet. Its most striking feature is the Great Red Spot, an enormous oval-shaped storm more than three times the size of Earth.

Clouds within the storm rotate counterclockwise, completing a full turn every six days.

Unlike Earth, which has only one moon, Jupiter has 95. Its four largest moons are Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. These are known as the Galilean moons, named after Galileo, who discovered them.