Chapter 22: Jupiter and Saturn

belt–zone circulation

The atmospheric circulation typical of Jovian planets. Dark belts and bright zones encircle the planet parallel to its equator.

regular satellites

A moon with an orbit that has small eccentricity, low inclination to the equator of its parent planet, and is prograde. Regular moons are thought to have formed with their respective planets rather than having been captured.

prograde

Rotation or revolution in the direction in common with most such motions in the Solar System.

irregular satellites

A moon with an orbit that has large eccentricity or high inclination to the equator of its parent planet or is retrograde. Irregular moons are thought to have been captured.

critical point

The temperature and pressure at which the vapor and liquid phases of a material have the same density.

liquid metallic hydrogen

A form of hydrogen under high pressure that is a good electrical conductor.

oblateness

The flattening of a spherical body, usually caused by rotation.

Io plasma torus

The doughnut-shaped cloud of ionized gas that encloses the orbit of Jupiter’s moon Io.

Io flux tube

A tube of magnetic lines and electric currents connecting Io and Jupiter.

grooved terrain

Region of the surface of Ganymede consisting of bright, parallel grooves.

Tidal heating

The heating of a planet or satellite because of friction caused by tides.

forward scattering

The optical property of finely divided particles to preferentially direct light in the original direction of the light’s travel.

Roche limit

The minimum distance between a planet and a satellite that holds itself together by its own gravity. If a satellite’s orbit brings it within its planet’s Roche limit, tidal forces will pull the satellite apart.

gossamer rings

The dimmest part of Jupiter’s ring, produced by dust particles orbiting near small moons.

shepherd satellites

A satellite that, by its gravitational field, confines particles to a planetary ring.

What are the Jovial planets?

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

Name a few differences of the Jovian versus Terrestrial planets

• Jovian planets are larger, further from the sun, rotate faster, have more moons, have more rings, are less dense overall, and have denser cores than terrestrial planets

• The main atmosphere of terrestrial planets is a gaseous mix of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases, and all terrestrial planets have rocky surfaces

What is the second biggest entity of the Solar system?

Jupiter and its magnetosphere

What are Ganymede, Callisto, Europa, and Io?

They are Jupiter's moons

What are Saturn's rings made of?

Billions of moonlets from dust to large icy rocks

What is true about Saturn?

• Its a jovian planet and has rings

• It's a buoyant planet, nearly 10 times farther from the Sun that is Earth

• Saturn has a moon that looks like early Earth

• Saturn's atmospheres has six layers