I’d like to thank Spaceman Neil of for submitting this week’s guest post with lots of fun facts about Jupiter! Such a fascinating place for children!
You may have heard a lot about Jupiter in the news recently because NASA’s spacecraft known as Juno arrived on Jupiter July 4, 2016. Talk about a reason for a fireworks celebration! Even though astronomers for decades have used telescopes from Earth to study Jupiter, they hope that Juno will help them better understand how planets form.
Jupiter is the 5th Planet from the Sun
Jupiter is the 5th planet from the sun (any guesses what Earth is? Hint: Subtract 2) yet it is the largest in the Solar System. The mass of Jupiter is one-thousandth that of the sun, but two and half times that of every other planet in the solar system combined!
Don’t Forget Your “Jupiter Glasses”
The sun isn’t the only bright planet around here. Jupiter is in fact the fourth brightest object in the solar system behind only the sun, moon and Venus. Its extreme brightness is why it is only one of five planets visible to the naked eye from Earth.
Your Birthday Would Be About Every 12 Years
Can’t decide between Pokémon or Princesses for your next Birthday party theme? That wouldn’t be a problem on Jupiter because you’d have a whopping 11.8 years in between each birthday to plan the big celebration.
Rock n’ Metal
Underneath the gassy surface, there are layers on Jupiter made up of compressed hydrogen gas, liquid metallic and hydrogen. At the planet’s core you’d find ice, rock and metals.
Bring a Jacket…and a Tank Top
If you’re hanging out in the clouds of Jupiter the temperature is -234 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrrrr! Yet, if you work your way to the core of the planet, the temperature is about 43,000 degrees Fahrenheit (That’s hotter than the sun)!
Hi Jr. Astronauts!
Isn’t it fun to learn about Jupiter? I think so! From its many moons and extremely powerful magnetic field, to unusual temperatures and extremely short day, this planet is definitely an exciting one to explore!
Since 1972 many space crafts have used their missions to study Jupiter’s atmosphere, moons, and rings. Astronauts like me are learning new things every day about Jupiter and other planets. It is very exciting and I hope you continue to study the planets with me. Any guesses where I’ll be next?
Have a perfectly galactic day,
NEIL
All images from NASA.gov
