Powered by PeriMeterX, Inc. There may also be a thin layer of water clouds under the ammonia layer, as evidenced by lightning flashes in Jupiter’s atmosphere, which are caused by the polarity of the water and generate the charge separation required for lightning. Since Galileo Galilei first observed Jupiter with a self-designed telescope in 1610, scientists and astronomers have been fascinated by the Jovian planet. And while much is still unknown about Venus’ geology and seismology, astronomers have an idea of Venus’ composition and structure based on comparative estimates of its size, mass, and density.
Is the density of Jupiter higher than that of Earth’s planets?
The Juno mission to Jupiter will help scientists map the densities of the planet’s deepest layers to better understand their composition and structure. The average densities for each planet and the required mass for a 70 cm3 egg are given in the table below. While terrestrial planets consist of solid surfaces, Jovian planets consist of gaseous surfaces. The terrestrial planets have a lower mass because they are smaller, and the Jovian planets have a higher mass because they are larger.
This very low density compared to Earth’s planets is due to the fact that it consists mainly of hydrogen and helium, in similar ratios to stars (approximately 82% hydrogen and 17% helium by mass).
How do the densities of the Earth and giant planets compare?
For this reason, Uranus (and Neptune) are often referred to as “ice giants” to distinguish them from Jupiter and Saturn. Overall, metals such as iron and nickel are thought to make up 70% of the planet’s mass (more than any other planet), while silicate rock is only 30%. Some of these objects were formed together with their host planet around 4.5 billion years ago in the same swirling region of the proto-solar nebula. While those closer to the Sun are terrestrial and fairly dense, those living in the outer solar system are mostly gaseous and liquid and therefore less dense on average.
For example, the 4 inner planets — the ones closest to the Sun — are all earthly planets, meaning they are mostly made of silicate rocks or metals and have a solid surface. Of all terrestrial planets, Earth is the only planet known to be home to life.
How does Jupiter resemble terrestrial planets?
I think you may have missed Mars in your list of terrestrial planets (although that can be seen in the image that accompanies the article). Terrestrial planets also have a molten heavy metal core, few moons, and topological features such as valleys, volcanoes, and craters. Well, the Jovian planets are less dense compared to the terrestrial planets because they consist mainly of hydrogen gas. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are known as the Jovian (Jupiter like) planets because they are all gigantic compared to Earth and have a gaseous nature like that of Jupiter – mainly hydrogen, with a little helium and trace gases and ice.
In the solar system, these planets are closer to the sun and therefore warmer than the planets that are further out in the solar system.
