Jupiter

The fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet in our solar system. Jupiter orbits the Sun at an average distance of 5.2 time Earth's distance (about 465 million miles/745 million km). The planet has a mass 318 times the mass of Earth and a radius 11.2 times the radius of Earth. Jupiter is a gas planet and has no solid surface. It is made of hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of ammonia, water vapor, and methane. The most recognizable features of the planet are its bands of clouds and a giant storm visible from Earth called the Great Red Spot. Jupiter has more than 60 known moons, the largest of which are Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.

Radio Programs

Moon and Jupiter An ancient god and the modern calendar Thursday, September 15, 2011
More Moon and Jupiter Jumpin' Jupiter! Saturday, August 20, 2011
More Juno Getting to know an atmosphere Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Juno Looking into the heart of a giant Monday, August 1, 2011
More Moon and Jupiter The solar system's 800-pound gorilla Saturday, June 25, 2011
Moon and Jupiter Changing concepts of a giant world Friday, June 24, 2011
More Moon and Jupiter Cutting through the static Sunday, May 29, 2011
Moon and Jupiter Shielding an entire planet Saturday, May 28, 2011
Venus and Jupiter Twin headlights in the dawn sky Monday, May 9, 2011
Mercury and Jupiter Big and small in the evening sky Monday, March 14, 2011
More Moon and Jupiter Disappearing in the sunlight Monday, March 7, 2011
More Moon and Jupiter Painting stripes on a giant planet Monday, February 7, 2011
Jupiter at Opposition II A showy planet loses a stripe Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Jupiter at Opposition A busy year for a giant world Monday, September 20, 2010
Jupiter and Uranus Giant worlds in the morning sky Monday, May 31, 2010
Moon and Jupiter Piecing together a picture of a giant Saturday, May 8, 2010

Featured Images

Artist's concept of Juno at Jupiter
Jumping Off for Jupiter Friday, August 5, 2011
Phobos, one of the moons of Mars, passes by the planet Jupiter.
Out of Order Monday, June 20, 2011
The aftermath of an asteroid impact in the southern hemisphere of Jupiter
Giant Scar Monday, September 20, 2010
High Lights Sunday, January 17, 2010

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