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 JupiterJupiter 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 CompareExploring 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 MissionsMoons 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 MoonsJupiter 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 JupiterLaunching Soon: Europa Clipper
NASA's Europa Clipper is launching in October on the first mission to conduct a detailed science investigation of Jupiter's moon Europa.
Learn More About Europa ClipperNASA’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…
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