A full-globe view of Jupiter against the darkness of space

Jupiter

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun, and the largest in the solar system – more than twice as massive as the other planets combined.

Facts About Jupiter

Jupiter is a world of extremes.

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. If Jupiter was a hollow shell, 1,000 Earths could fit inside. Jupiter also is the oldest planet, forming from the dust and gases left over from the Sun's formation 4.5 billion years ago. But it has the shortest day in the solar system, taking only 10.5 hours to spin around once on its axis.

Learn More about Jupiter
A view of Jupiter's Great Red Spot and colorful cloud bands of tan, brown, white, and orange as seen from the Juno spacecraft.
NASA’s Juno spacecraft took three images of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot on Feb. 12, 2019, that were used to create this color-enhanced view.
Enhanced image by Kevin M. Gill (CC-BY) based on images provided courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS

Jupiter By The Numbers

How big is Jupiter? How far is it from the Sun?

Use this tool to compare Jupiter to Earth, and other planets.

Analyze and Compare

Exploring Jupiter

The first detailed observations of Jupiter were made by Galileo Galilei in 1610 with a small, homemade telescope.

More recently, this planet has been studied by orbiters, probes, and spacecraft passing by on their way to other worlds. NASA’s Juno spacecraft currently is studying the giant planet from orbit. Europa Clipper will launch in October 2024 to study Jupiter's icy moon, Europa.

Learn More About Jupiter Missions
A rocket shoots out bright yellowish flames as it lifts the Juno spacecraft into the blue skies over Cape Canaveral. Florida. Plumes of smoke swell beneath the rocket and spacecraft. Three towers surround the launch pad.
NASA's Juno spacecraft launches from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 5, 2011.
NASA/Bill Ingalls

Moons of Jupiter

Jupiter has 95 moons that have been officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union.

But the number doesn't capture the complexity of the Jovian system of moons, rings and asteroids. The giant planet has thousands of small objects in its orbit.

Learn More About Jupiter's Moons
This is a composite of the Jovian system and includes the edge of Jupiter with its Great Red Spot and Jupiter’s four largest moons.
This "family portrait" composite of the Jovian system includes the edge of Jupiter with its Great Red Spot, and Jupiter's four largest moons, known as the Galilean satellites. From top to bottom, the moons shown are Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
NASA

Jupiter Resources

Explore a curated collection of Jupiter resources.

These resources include activities that can be done at home, as well as videos, animations, posters, and online interactives. The activities are suitable for educators, students, and anyone interested in learning more about Jupiter.

Explore Resources for Jupiter
A crescent view of Jupiter with its bands of beige, and orange clouds. The Great Red Spot in the right, bottom corner.
NASA's Juno spacecraft saw this striking vista during a close flyby of Jupiter.
NASA
Featured Story

NASA’s Hubble Watches Jupiter’s Great Red Spot Behave Like a Stress Ball

Astronomers have observed Jupiter’s legendary Great Red Spot (GRS), an anticyclone large enough to swallow Earth, for at least 150…

Read the Story
Eight Hubble images showing Jupiter's Great Red Spot as it changes over time from December 2023 to March 2024.
Eyes on the Solar System lets you explore the planets, their moons, asteroids, and comets.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
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