King of the Planets
Jupiter
A gas giant so massive it outweighs all other planets combined. Jupiter's banded clouds, centuries-old storms, and vast family of moons make it a miniature solar system of its own.
Size compared to Earth11.2× Earth's diameter
Full bar = Jupiter, the largest planet
Vital statistics
- Diameter
- 142,984 km
- Distance from Sun
- 778.6 million km
- Orbital period
- 11.9 Earth years
- Day length
- 9.9 hours
- Moons
- 95
- Mean temperature
- -110°C
Notable facts
The Great Red Spot is a storm wider than Earth that has been raging for at least 190 years.
Jupiter spins faster than any other planet — a full day lasts under 10 hours.
Its moon Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system, bigger than the planet Mercury.
Jupiter's immense gravity acts as a cosmic shield, deflecting or capturing many comets and asteroids.
Next stop
Saturn