Jupiter
Jupiter is, by far, the largest planet in the solar system – more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined.
Quick Stats
Moons
Missions on Deck
All About Jupiter
The Biggest
For scale, Jupiter's Great Red Spot is about the size of Earth.
Fifth From the Sun
Jupiter is 5.2 AU from the Sun. Earth = 1 AU.
Short and Long
Jupiter's day lasts only 10 Earth hours; its year is 12 Earth years.
Nowhere to Land
Jupiter has no solid surface. It may have an Earth-sized core.
Big and Light
Jupiter's atmosphere is mostly hydrogen and helium.
Many Moons
As of July 2023, Jupter had 95 moons.
Faint Rings
The rings were spotted in 1979.
Exploration
Seven robots flew past; two stayed in orbit.
Ingredients for Life?
Jupiter can't support life as we know it.
Super Storm
The Great Red Spot is a storm that has raged for over 100 years.
Planet Jupiter Overview
Jupiter is the fifth planet from our Sun and is, by far, the largest planet in the solar system – more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined.
Jupiter's stripes and swirls are actually cold, windy clouds of ammonia and water, floating in an atmosphere of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot is a giant storm bigger than Earth that has raged for hundreds of years.
Jupiter is named for the king of the ancient Roman gods.
Jupiter
Jupiter in Pop Culture
The biggest planet in our solar system has a large presence in pop culture, including many movies, TV shows, video games, and comics. Jupiter and its moons were notable destinations in "The Expanse" series, while various Jovian moons provide settings for "Cloud Atlas," "Futurama," "Power Rangers," and "Halo," among many others. In the movie "Men in Black" when Agent J – played by Will Smith – mentions he thought one of his childhood teachers was from Venus, Agent K – played by Tommy Lee Jones – replies that she is actually from one of Jupiter’s moons.
