The Planets JupiterandSaturn

Jupiter Position: Fifth planet from the sun. Position: Fifth planet from the sun. Diameter: km Diameter: km Distance from Sun: km Distance from Sun: km

Jupiter Description: Composed mostly of gas, has prominent bands around its latitude, and a great red spot. Jupiter doesn’t really have a “surface.” It is covered in clouds, and those clouds get more and more dense, as they get closer to the planet’s center, until they turn into liquid. Description: Composed mostly of gas, has prominent bands around its latitude, and a great red spot. Jupiter doesn’t really have a “surface.” It is covered in clouds, and those clouds get more and more dense, as they get closer to the planet’s center, until they turn into liquid. Atmosphere: 82 % hydrogen, 18 % helium, with traces of other elements. Atmosphere: 82 % hydrogen, 18 % helium, with traces of other elements.

Jupiter Temperature range: The cloud tops average -153ºC and the temperature rises closer to the planet’s center. Temperature range: The cloud tops average -153ºC and the temperature rises closer to the planet’s center. Day length on Jupiter is 9.8 Earth hours long. Day length on Jupiter is 9.8 Earth hours long. Year length on Jupiter is Earth years long. Year length on Jupiter is Earth years long. Moons: Jupiter has 63 moons. The four largest are Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Moons: Jupiter has 63 moons. The four largest are Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.

Jupiter Jupiter has faint, dark rings composed of tiny rock particles and dust. Jupiter has faint, dark rings composed of tiny rock particles and dust. The moon Io is volcanically active. The moon Io is volcanically active. Jupiter rotates very quickly, and since it is made of liquid and gas, the planet bulges at the equator and flattens at the poles. Jupiter rotates very quickly, and since it is made of liquid and gas, the planet bulges at the equator and flattens at the poles.

Saturn Position: Sixth from the sun. Position: Sixth from the sun. Description: Saturn, like Jupiter, is known as a ‘gas giant’ since it is made mostly of hydrogen and helium gas. It is surrounded by the most dynamic rings of all the planets Description: Saturn, like Jupiter, is known as a ‘gas giant’ since it is made mostly of hydrogen and helium gas. It is surrounded by the most dynamic rings of all the planets Atmosphere: approximately 96% hydrogen, 4% helium with other trace elements. Atmosphere: approximately 96% hydrogen, 4% helium with other trace elements.

Saturn Diameter: 120,536 km Distance from Sun: on average, km Temperature range: -185ºC at the cloud tops Day length on Saturn is 10.2 Earth hours. Year length on Saturn is Earth years.

Saturn Moons: Saturn has 59 moons. The largest is Titan. Moons: Saturn has 59 moons. The largest is Titan. Saturn’s beautiful rings are made of chunks of ice. They range from the size of a grain of sand to the size of a house. Saturn’s beautiful rings are made of chunks of ice. They range from the size of a grain of sand to the size of a house. Because Saturn is made of only gas and liquid, it is less dense than water. This means, if you had an ocean big enough to set Saturn in, it would float. Because Saturn is made of only gas and liquid, it is less dense than water. This means, if you had an ocean big enough to set Saturn in, it would float.

Saturn In 1997, a space craft called Cassini was launched on course to Saturn in order to study the moon Titan. It arrived in 2004 (7 years later!!!). In 1997, a space craft called Cassini was launched on course to Saturn in order to study the moon Titan. It arrived in 2004 (7 years later!!!). On January 14, 2005 the Cassini dropped a probe called Huygens to the surface of Titan. Titan is almost life sustaining and the information this mission gathers could shed light on how Earth evolved into a life giving planet. On January 14, 2005 the Cassini dropped a probe called Huygens to the surface of Titan. Titan is almost life sustaining and the information this mission gathers could shed light on how Earth evolved into a life giving planet. Don’t copy what is in Italics.

Saturn This is the first colour picture of Titan’s surface.