Jupiter: The King of the Planets

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered about the twinkling lights? Some of those lights are planets, giant balls of rock and gas orbiting our sun! And the biggest one of all is Jupiter, a true giant of the solar system.

Fun Facts About Jupiter:

• Jupiter is HUGE! It's so big that you could fit all the other planets in our solar system inside it, with room to spare.
• It's mostly gas! Jupiter is made up mostly of hydrogen and helium, the same gases that make up our sun.
• The Great Red Spot is a giant storm on Jupiter that's been raging for hundreds of years! It's so big that you could fit three Earths inside it.
• Jupiter has many moons! It has at least 79 moons, some of which are even bigger than the planet Mercury!
• Jupiter is a spinning top! It spins very fast, completing one rotation in just under 10 hours.

Why is Jupiter So Important?

Jupiter plays a very important role in our solar system. Its massive gravity helps to protect Earth from asteroids and comets. It also acts like a giant vacuum cleaner, sucking up debris that could otherwise hit Earth.

Explore Jupiter with These Activities:

Here are some fun activities to help you learn more about Jupiter:

• Build a model of Jupiter! You can use balloons, paper mache, or even clay to create your own Jupiter model.
• Draw a picture of Jupiter. Be sure to include its swirling clouds, the Great Red Spot, and its many moons.
• Research Jupiter! There are many websites and books that can teach you more about this amazing planet.

Jupiter is a fascinating planet, and there's still so much we don't know about it. So keep looking up at the night sky and maybe someday you'll be the one to discover something new about this giant of the solar system!