The solar system: the planets: planet Jupiter

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The Planets: Planet Jupiter

Jupiter is the fifth of nine planets in our solar system and is is one of the outer "gas giant" planets. Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system and only Venus (and the Moon) are brighter. Jupiter is best viewed in the Spring.

Jupiter Facts
Mass (kg)	1.900e+27
Radius (km)	71,492
Density (gm/cm³)	1.33
Distance from Sun (km)	778,330,000
Period of rotation (hrs)	9.9
Period of orbit (yrs)	11.87
Orbital velocity (km/sec)	13.07
Eccentricity of orbit	0.0483
Tilt of axis (°)	3.13
Inclination of orbit (°)	1.308
surface gravity (m/sec²)	22.88
escape velocity (km/sec)	59.56
Visual albedo	0.52
Visual magnitude	-2.70
cloud temperature	-121°C
Atmosphere	Hydrogen=90% Helium=10%
Moons	61

Jupiter can be viewed with the naked-eye, binoculars and all telescopes.