Jupiter


 * __Jupiter__

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and the fifth furthest away from the sun. The planet is considered to be a gas giant because Jupiter’s body is predominantly gases. It takes Jupiter 11.38 years to completely orbit the sun.

Jupiter’s atmosphere consists of: 90% hydrogen, 9% of helium and the remaining 1% is the other elements that are on Jupiter. Even though Jupiter mainly consists of gases, it has a rocky, solid core.

Not much is known about the interior of Jupiter. It is believed that under the thick atmosphere, is a thick layer of liquid metallic hydrogen, which makes about 78% of the size of Jupiter. Beneath the liquid metallic hydrogen, is the core which is rocky and solid and is made up of many different elements.

The planet constantly has high winds and massive storms. The largest and most notable storm is The Great Red Spot. This storm is about 24000 km wide, which is almost twice the size of Earth. The storm is thought to have existed since the 17th century and is also believed that the storm will permanently stay on Jupiter.

Jupiter also has many different natural satellites which include 63 moons and planetary rings .** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jupiter http://www.nineplanets.org/jupiter.html http://www.solarviews.com/eng/jupiter.htm