Jupiter is the fifth planet from Sol and the largest planet in the Sol system. It is a gas giant without a solid surface and its mass is greater than that of all the other planets in the Solar System combined. The planet is named after Jupiter, the king of the gods in ancient Roman religion.
Although the planet itself is uninhabitable, a number of its moons are inhabited by approximately forty-five million inhabitants in total. As a planetary system, it is de jure governed by both the United Nations and the Martian Congressional Republic.
Overview
It is a gas giant with a mass more than 2.5 times that of all the other planets in the Sol system combined and slightly less than one-thousandth the mass of the Sun. Its diameter is eleven times that of Earth, and a tenth that of the Sun. Jupiter orbits the Sun at a distance of 5.20 AU (778.5 Gm), with an orbital period of 11.86 years. It is the third brightest natural object in the Earth's night sky, after the Luna and Venus, and has been observed since prehistoric times.
Moons
- As of April 2025...
- Major moons
- Galilean moons:
- Ganymede, largest of Jupiter's moons orbiting between Europa and Callisto, one of the largest system bodies without a substantial atmosphere, and whose domes are known as the "breadbasket of the Belt".
- Callisto, second largest, outermost of the Galilean moons, and tidally locked with Jupiter, is about half ice (mostly water and some volatiles) with a likely metal and rock core. It is a key strategic point in the Belt, since it has both MCRN and UNN shipyards.
- Io, third largest and innermost of the Galilean moons, most geologically active object in the system with a high density, silicate rock crust, and an abundance of sulfur compounds. It hosts an inactive Helium-3 refinery.
- Europa, fourth largest and second innermost of the Galilean moons, primarily made of silicate rock, has a water-ice crust, and probably an iron–nickel core with a very thin atmosphere, composed primarily of oxygen.
- Inner satellites
- Amalthea group (inside the orbit of Io): Metis, Adrastea, Amalthea, and Thebe.
- Ungrouped irregular satellites
- Themisto, also known as Jupiter XVIII, orbits between Callisto and the other irregular satellites
- Valetudo, also known as Jupiter LXII and originally known as S/2016 J 2, orbits between the Carpo & Ananke groups
- Irregular satellites
- Himalia group (9 members): Leda, Ersa, S/2018 J 2, Himalia, Pandia, Lysithea, Elara, S/2011 J 3, & Dia
- Carpo group (2 members): S/2018 J 4 & Carpo
- Ananke group (approx. 27 members): Euporie, S/2003 J 18, Eupheme, S/2021 J 3, S/2010 J 2, S/2016 J 1, Mneme, Euanthe, S/2003 J 16, Harpalyke, Orthosie, Helike, S/2021 J 2, Praxidike, S/2017 J 3, S/2021 J 1, S/2003 J 12, S/2017 J 7, Thelxinoe, Thyone, S/2003 J 2, S/2022 J 3, Ananke, Iocaste, S/2017 J 10, Hermippe, & S/2017 J 9
- Carme group (approx. 31 members): S/2016 J 3, S/2022 J 1, S/2017 J 8, Pasithee, S/2021 J 6, S/2003 J 24, Chaldene, S/2017 J 2, Isonoe, S/2017 J 11, Kallichore, S/2021 J 4, Erinome, Kale, Eirene, Aitne, Eukelade, S/2022 J 2, Arche, Taygete, S/2011 J 1, Carme, Herse, S/2003 J 19, S/2010 J 1, S/2003 J 9, S/2017 J 5, Kalyke, S/2003 J 10, S/2018 J 3, & S/2021 J 5
- Pasiphae group (approx. 18 members):
- Philophrosyne (orbits somewhat between the Ananke group & Carme group)
- Inner intra-Carme subgroup (orbits somewhat inside the inner part of the Carme group): Eurydome, S/2011 J 2, & S/2003 J 4
- Outer intra-Carme subgroup (orbits somewhat inside the outer part of the Carme group): S/2016 J 4, S/2017 J 6, & Hegemone
- Main subgroup (outermost orbits of irregular satellites): Pasiphae, Sponde, Megaclite, Cyllene, Sinope, S/2017 J 1, Aoede, Autonoe, Callirrhoe, S/2003 J 23, & Kore
Media
References
See also
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