Yesterday was a great day. That’s for two reasons. First of all, it was the 4th of July! But coincidentally it was also the day that the spacecraft Juno reached orbit around Jupiter! Juno was launched on August 4, 2011. It’s been 5 years. Juno is the second space craft to reach orbit around Jupiter. We can finally learn more about the windiest and largest planet in our solar system. Big round of applause to Nasa for making this happen!!!
5 Jupiter Fun Facts
- Jupiter has the shortest day of all the planets. One day is 9 hours and 55 minutes. The rapid rotation flattens the planet slightly (but it’s not completely flat).
- Jupiter’s moon Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system.It’s even larger than Mercury.
- The Great Red Spot is a huge storm on Jupiter. It has been raging for at least 350 years. It is so large that three Earths could fit inside it.
- Did you know that Jupiter has rings? Well it does. Usually when people think of ringed planets they think of Saturn. Looks like Saturn’s got a friend.
- You can see Jupiter without a telescope! Jupiter is the third brightest object in the Solar System after Venus and the Moon. You probably have seen Jupiter in the sky and had no idea that’s what you were seeing.
