Jupiter

## Resume

Jupiter is the fifth planet in the Solar System and the largest of all. It is a gas giant with a mass approximately 318 times that of Earth. It was named after the Roman god Jupiter, king of the gods. Jupiter is known for its imposing ring system, its numerous moons, and its Great Red Spot, a gigantic storm that has been active for centuries. It is an object of great interest to astronomers and has been studied in detail by several space missions. Jupiter plays a crucial role in the stability of the Solar System and is a protective giant that, due to its gravity, deflects dangerous asteroids and comets, preventing them from reaching Earth and other inner planets. Their study provides key information about the formation and evolution of giant planets, as well as the early history of the Solar System.

## History

Named after the Roman god Jupiter, this planet is fifth in order from the Sun and the largest of all in the Solar System.

Jupiter has been observed since ancient times, and its brightness in the night sky made it one of the "wandering stars" known to ancient civilizations. However, it was Galileo Galilei who, in 1610, made revolutionary observations with a telescope, discovering the four largest moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. These discoveries supported the idea that not all celestial objects orbited Earth, challenging the geocentric view of the cosmos.

As telescopic technology improved, astronomers began to further study Jupiter's atmosphere, which is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. The Great Red Spot, a gigantic storm that has been observed for centuries, became a distinctive icon of the planet. Over the years, space missions such as Voyager and Juno have provided crucial information about Jupiter's composition, internal structure, and magnetic fields.

Jupiter plays a fundamental role in the dynamics of the Solar System. Its immense gravity acts as a cosmic "sweeper," attracting or deflecting asteroids and comets that could pose a threat to Earth. Furthermore, their study has revealed similarities and differences between gas giant planets and terrestrial planets.

The story of Jupiter is a constantly evolving narrative, as new research and space missions continue to reveal surprising details about its composition, atmosphere, rings and moons. This gas giant remains an object of deep interest and study, shedding light on the formation and evolution of planetary systems and expanding our understanding of the vast and complex universe in which we live.

## Galileans Moons

The Galilean moons are four of the largest moons of Jupiter, discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610. These moons are Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. They are celestial bodies of great scientific interest due to their unique characteristics and their potential to host liquid oceans under their surfaces.

Io: It is the closest moon to Jupiter and one of the most volcanically active in the Solar System. It presents a landscape marked by erupting volcanoes, colored surfaces and geological activity. Tidal forces generated by Jupiter's gravity contribute to its volcanic activity.

Europa: It is known for its ice crust that encloses a subsurface ocean, making it an object of interest for the search for extraterrestrial life. The data suggests that its ocean could be conducive to the existence of conditions similar to those of the early Earth.

Ganymede: It is the largest moon in the Solar System and has its own magnetic field. Its interior is believed to contain a subsurface ocean, and its surface shows a combination of ancient terrain and younger areas.

Callisto: It is a moon with a cratered surface and apparently less active compared to the other Galilean moons. Its relative stability makes it a valuable object for the study of the geological history of the Solar System.

## Red Spot

The Great Red Spot is an iconic and enduring feature of Jupiter, known for its striking red color and giant storm nature. Its history dates back centuries, and its observation has provided valuable information about Jupiter's atmosphere and dynamics.

Observation of the Great Red Spot dates back to at least the 17th century, when astronomers began observing Jupiter through telescopes. However, it was not until 1664 that Italian astronomer Giovanni Cassini described in detail a dark spot in Jupiter's atmosphere, which would later be identified as the Great Red Spot.

Over the centuries, the Great Red Spot has been the subject of continuous observation and study. It has proven to be a persistent feature, although its shape, size and color have varied over time. For much of its observed history, the spot has maintained a distinctive oval shape, with hues that have varied between red and orange.

In recent decades, space missions such as the Voyager probe and the Juno probe have provided detailed data about the Great Red Spot and its surrounding atmosphere. It has been found to be a long-lived storm, fueled by complex atmospheric processes and chemical activities in Jupiter's upper atmosphere.

Despite its longevity, the Great Red Spot is not immutable. Over the years, its size has gradually decreased, and its color and shape have undergone variations. Despite these changes, it remains one of Jupiter's most iconic features and a continuing source of research and wonder.

## Rings

Although Saturn is the planet most famous for its rings, Jupiter also has a ring system, although they are much less spectacular and prominent than Saturn's. Jupiter's ring system consists of thin, dark rings that are difficult to see from Earth and can only be observed under certain conditions.

Jupiter's rings are composed primarily of dust particles, rocks, and debris. Unlike Saturn's bright, wide rings, Jupiter's rings are faint and distributed over a wide region around the planet. These rings are more difficult to detect and require detailed observations to study.

Jupiter's main rings include the Halo ring, the Main ring, and the Gossamer ring. The Halo ring is the outermost ring and is made up of dust and debris particles that interact with the Galilean moons, releasing material that forms a faint ring. The Main ring is the closest to Jupiter and is also made up of dust and debris particles. The Gossamer ring consists of two parts, the Amalthea ring and the Thebe ring, which are associated with the moons of the same name.

## About the name

Jupiter, the fifth planet from the Sun in our Solar System, is named after the king of the gods in Roman mythology. The name "Jupiter" derives from "Iuppiter" in Latin, which in turn comes from the words "Iu" meaning "to give" and "Pater" meaning "father", which translates as "Father who gives". In Roman mythology, Jupiter was considered the god of the sky and thunder, equivalent to the Greek god Zeus.

Jupiter is known for its large size and impressive presence in the night sky. Ancient stargazers noted its brilliant glow and associated it with the divine figures who ruled the cosmos. The choice of the name Jupiter for the planet is a testament to how ancient cultures often associated celestial bodies with deities and mythological beliefs.