Hobbies And Interests
Speed
Although it is the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter rotates every 9.9 hours. That speed is the average amount of time it takes for the entire planet; because of its gaseous composition, Jupiter's surface at the poles takes 5 minutes longer to rotate than the surface at the equator. The gasses cause different rotation speeds depending on which area of the planet you are tracking. Astronomers measure the speed from 10 degrees north and south of the equator.
Composition
Jupiter is made entirely of hydrogen and helium gasses, making it extremely difficult to measure rotation. However, astronomers have developed ways to accurately measure the speed in which storm systems come back into view. The rotation of other planets is much easier to determine because astronomers can use a specific point on the planet as a reference for how long it takes that spot to come full circle and reach the same point in space.
Equator
Because of the high rotation speed, Jupiter's equator bulges out and causes the planet to appear as a squashed ball. The polar radius of Jupiter equals 41,508 miles while the equatorial radius is 44,428 miles, for a 2,920 miles variance. The circumference of Jupiter's equator is 11 times larger than Earth's.
Jupiter
Jupiter is two planets away from Earth and the fifth planet from the sun. More than 1,000 Earths could fit inside Jupiter if it were hollow. The planet has 62 satellites and a faint ring system that was discovered in 1979. Pressure near the center of Jupiter is so strong that atoms break apart, freeing the electrons to create bare protons. At this stage, the hydrogen on the planet becomes metallic.