Jupiter

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Jupiter, its characteristics, atmosphere, and missions exploring the planet.

Jovian

Refers to Jupiter-like planets, characterized by their low density and gaseous composition.

Average Density of Jupiter

Approximately 1.3 g/cm³, slightly larger than water.

Great Red Spot

A persistent storm on Jupiter, observed since the first telescopic observations in the 1600s.

Juno Mission

A spacecraft launched to study Jupiter's atmosphere and gravitational field, providing detailed images and data since its arrival in 2016.

Liquid Metallic Hydrogen

A state of hydrogen found beneath Jupiter's cloud tops, where it is compressed into a liquid form.

Dynamo Process

A natural process in Jupiter's metallic hydrogen layer that generates a powerful magnetic field.

Auroras on Jupiter

Created by particles trapped in Jupiter's magnetic field interacting with the atmosphere, leading to atmospheric electricity.

Convection Currents

Heat-driven currents in Jupiter's atmosphere that transport warm gases upward and cooler gases downward.

Jupiter's Core

Believed to be composed of rock and iron, potentially 10-18 times the mass of Earth and very hot.

Galileo Probe

A spacecraft that studied Jupiter and its moons, providing valuable data despite not surviving all the way to Jupiter.

Density Compression

The phenomenon where the gravitational force of a planet compresses gases and solids, increasing their density.

Jupiter's Atmosphere

Composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of methane, ammonia, and water.

Ring System

Jupiter's faint rings composed of small, dark particles, primarily originating from its moons.

Cloud Tops Temperature

Approximately 120 K (-153 °C), indicating extremely low temperatures in the upper atmosphere.

Rapid Rotation

Jupiter rotates once every 10 hours, resulting in its equatorial bulge and fast cloud movement.

Telescope Observations

Reveal Jupiter's richly colored bands and differences from other giant planets.

Hydrogen Compounds

Various hydrogen-based materials surrounding Jupiter's core, compressed into liquid form.