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Jupiter is the planet of faith, positivism and optimism. It rules Sagittarius and is exalted in Cancer. Jupiter represents the principle of expansion, versus contraction (as represented by Saturn) and the aspirations of the higher self. Its position in the chart indicates how your faith will be expressed, and what modes of activity will stimulate self-confidence.
The most massive planet in our solar system, with four large moons and many smaller moons, Jupiter forms a kind of miniature solar system. Jupiter resembles a star in composition. In fact, if it had been about 80 times more massive, it would have become a star rather than a planet. On January 7, 1610, using his primitive telescope, astronomer Galileo saw four small "stars" near Jupiter. He had discovered Jupiter's four largest moons, now called Io, Buropa, Ganymede , and Callisto. These four moons are known today as the Galilean satellites. Newly discovered moons of Jupiter are reported by astronomers and acknowledged with a temporary designation by the International Astronomical Union; once their orbits are confirmed, they are included in Jupiter's large moon count. Including the "temporary" moons, Jupiter has 62 total.
| Planet | Mass (10x24 kg) | Volume (10x10 km3 | Equatorial radius (km) | Polar radius (km) | Mean density (kg/m3) | Surface gravity (m/s2) | Surface acceleration (m/s2) | Escape velocity (km/s) |
| Jupiter | 1,898.6 | 143,128 | 71,492 | 66,854 | 1,326 | 24.79 | 23.12 | 59.5 |
| Earth | 5.9736 | 108.321 | 6378.1 | 6356.8 | 5515 | 9.80 | 9.78 | 11.2 |
| Name | Orbital Period | Sidereal rotation |
| Jupiter | 11,87 Years | 9,925 Hours |
Discoverer: Unknown
Discovery Date: Prehistoric
Distance from Earth
Minimum (10x6 km) 588.5
Maximum (10x6 km) 968.1
Apparent diameter from Earth
Maximum (seconds of arc) 50.1
Minimum (seconds of arc) 29.8
Mean values at opposition from Earth
Distance from Earth (10x6 km) 628.76
Apparent diameter (seconds of arc) 46.9
Apparent visual magnitude -2.7
Maximum apparent visual magnitude -2.94
Surface Pressure: >>1000 bars
Temperature at 1 bar: 165 K (-108 C)
Temperature at 0.1 bar: 112 K (-161 C)
Density at 1 bar: 0.16 kg/m3
Wind speeds Up to 150 m/s
(<30 degrees latitude) Up to 40 m/s (>30 degrees latitude)
Scale height: 27 km
Mean molecular weight: 2.22 g/mole
Atmospheric composition (by volume, uncertainty in parentheses)
Major:
Molecular hydrogen (H2) - 89.8% (2.0%)
Helium (He) - 10.2% (2.0%)
Minor (ppm):
Methane (CH4) - 3000 (1000)
Ammonia (NH3) - 260 (40)
Hydrogen Deuteride (HD) - 28 (10)
Ethane (C2H6) - 5.8 (1.5)
Water (H2O) - 4 (varies with pressure)
Aerosols:
Ammonia ice, water ice, ammonia hydrosulfide
Technical Information courtesy of Nasa
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