Wondering About Jupiter.

I got wondering about Jupiter.  You all know, I am sure, that Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.  How large is it?  Well, I am glad you asked.  It is over twice as big as all the other planets combined.  Now that is huge!!

We are learning a lot of new things about Jupiter because our space probe, Juno, is going to be in orbit around that planet.  Juno has traveled 1.8 billion (yes that is a billion with a "B") on its journey and is sending back new information on that planet and its moons.  Jupiter produces gigantic magnetic fields.  But that is about all we know about it because it is shrouded in clouds.  Juno has on board what they call a "microwave radiometer" which can probe and see up to 342 miles below the visible cloud tops.  And guess what, it will be able to see a little ways beneath Jupiter's surface, too.

Juno has traveled those 1.8 billion miles at a speed up to 165,000 mph.  Just think, this high speed has been achieved by the sun's force on its solar panels.  Yet, it still takes 11.86 years to make one orbit around the sun.  Here is a picture of Jupiter:

And to get a perspective on just how huge it is, here is diagram comparing the size of Jupiter to the size of Earth:

Yep, it sure does make our planet Earth look very, very small.

Now you all have a great day and don't forget, Jupiter is one of the five planets visible when above our horizon and it is the fourth brightest object in the solar system.  Only the Sun, Moon, and Venus are brighter.  Let me tell you, it is an impressive sight through my big telescope.  Now you all have a great day, you hear?