Jupiter

Did You Know?
The planet Jupiter is the fifth planet out from the Sun, and is two and a half times more massive than all the other planets in the solar system combined. It is made primarily of gases and is therefore known as a “gas giant”.
It turns on its axis once every 9 hours and 55 minutes. The rapid rotation flattens the planet slightly, giving it an oblate shape.
The Great Red Spot is a huge storm on Jupiter. It has raged for at least 350 years. It is so large that three Earths could fit inside it.

Planet Profile
Mass (kg) 1.90 x 1027
Diameter (km) 142,800
Mean density (kg/m3) 1314
Escape velocity (m/s) 59500
Average distance from Sun 5.203 AU (778,412,020 km)
Rotation period (length of day in Earth days) 0.41 (9.8 Earth hours)
Revolution period (length of year in Earth days) 11.86
Obliquity (tilt of axis degrees) 3.08
Orbit inclination (degrees) 1.3
Mean surface temperature (K) 120 (cloud tops)
Atmospheric components
  • 90% hydrogen,
  • 10% helium,
  • .07% methane