Since the dawn of humanity, we have looked towards the skies for answers. One of these heavenly objects have been the planet Jupiter, a vague speck of light flying across the night skies. As time went by, generations of astronomers and scientists have pieces together the gas planet’s secrets – speculating and theorizing as to its origins and atmospheric details.
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in the Solar System. It is primarily composed of hydrogen, but helium comprises one quarter of its mass and one tenth of its volume. It likely has a rocky core of heavier elements, but like the other giant planets, Jupiter lacks a well-defined solid surface. The on-going contraction of its interior generates heat greater than the amount received from the Sun. With a perpetual flow of storms on the planet, some storms, like the Great Red Spot, produces wind-speeds up to 432 km/h (268 mph).
Today, we’re closer to unlocking the mysteries of Jupiter than ever before. As satellites like Juno tours the mighty gas planet Jupiter, astronomers are combing through the fresh data revealing new evidence.