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Fun Facts About the Planet Jupiter
Looking for fun facts about the planet Jupiter? Everyone knows that Jupiter is the largest planet in this solar system, the fifth planet from the sun and that is named after a Roman God King. Beyond that, how much do you really know about Jupiter? Check out some of the following fun facts about the planet Jupiter and impress your friends, classmates and maybe even your astronomy teacher.
Great Red Spot
One feature that distinguishes Jupiter from the other planets is the Great Red Spot. The Spot has existed for over 300 years. It was first discovered in 1665 and believed to be a large storm that continues to build.
Spacecraft
Only seven spacecraft, from any country on Earth, have been to Jupiter. The first years were 1973 and 1974 and then twice in 1979. Then interested perked again and spacecraft visited Jupiter again in 1992 and then one did a flyby in 2000 (this spacecraft was actually traveling to Saturn). More recently, NASA sent New Horizons to take pictures of Jupiter in 2007.
Fun Facts about Jupiter’s Moons
It's strange, but Jupiter has 63 moons, which were really discovered when spacecrafts were sent to explore the planet in the 1970's. Many of the moons are seven miles or less in diameter, but Ganymede orbits Jupiter as one of the largest moons in the solar system at over 3,200 miles in diameter.
Statistics
Jupiter is about one-fourth of Earth's density and Jupiter's mass is over 300 times bigger than Earth's. Even though Jupiter is that large, it rotates pretty fast. For one full rotation on the axis, Jupiter only takes about ten hours. You can see Jupiter with the naked eye and because the planet spins so fast, you'll notice the top and bottom of the planet flat and the curved portion at the equator slightly expanded.
Other Facts
If you are looking for other facts about Jupiter, visit some of the following references: