What is the obvious snag in locating features on the gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune?
Being gaseous planets, the rotation of the equatorial zone is faster than at the higher latitudes. Also there are no fixed reference points in the constantly shifting clouds of gas.
Is the size of a planet related to its rotation?
No. For example, Jupiter’s day is only 9 hours 50 minutes even though it is by far the largest planet.
How big is Jupiter, in general terms, as compared to the other planets of the Solar System?
If Jupiter was hollow, all the other planets of the Solar System could be accommodated within it. It is the largest in the Solar system. Its equatorial diameter is 142,800 km and it has a mass more than twice that all the other planets combined.
Why was the astronomer Galileo persecuted by the Catholic Church?
Viewing Jupiter through his telescope, Galileo discovered it had four moons revolving around it. This went against the Church doctrine of that time that all heavenly bodies revolved around the Earth which was held to be the centre of the Universe.
Which planet has a permanent large red spot on its surface which keeps changing and shifting?
Jupiter. The spot is believed to be an area of permanent turbulence.
What are the Galilean Moons?
The four moons of Jupiter discovered by Galileo are called the Galilean moons.
How powerful a telescope is required to observe the Galilean moons of Jupiter?
The Galilean moons of Jupiter can be seen with a good pair of modern binoculars.
