Monday, June 20, 2011

Jupiter with four moons

The scale model of Jupiter is 61.4 inches.
The Moons are:
Io - 1.6 inches
Europa - 1.3 inches
Ganymede - 2.3 inches
Callisto - 2.1 inches

Jupiter, the largest planet in the System, has a mostly gaseous composition. The atmosphere shows many storms, the most visible known as the Great Red Spot.

Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system. As Io travels in its slightly elliptical orbit, Jupiter's immense gravity causes "tides" in the solid surface that rise 300 feet high on Io, generating enough heat for volcanic activity and to drive off any water.

Europa's surface is mostly water ice, and there is evidence that it may be covering an ocean of water or slushy ice beneath. Europa is thought to have twice as much water as does Earth.

Ganymede is the largest moon in the solar system (larger than the planet Mercury), and is the only moon known to have its own internally generated magnetic field.

Callisto's surface is extremely heavily cratered and ancient -- a visible record of events from the early history of the solar system.


Jupiter with four the it's largest moons.


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