How Many Earths Can Fit in Jupiter?
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is a gas giant known for its immense size and powerful gravitational force. One of the most common questions people ask about Jupiter is: How many Earths can fit inside it?
To answer this, we need to compare the sizes and volumes of both planets. This blog will explore Jupiter’s size, volume, and how many Earths it can hold, along with some fascinating facts about this massive planet.
Size Comparison: Jupiter vs. Earth
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system, with a diameter more than 11 times that of Earth. However, since Jupiter is a gas giant and Earth is a rocky planet, their compositions and densities are very different.
Key Measurements of Jupiter and Earth
| Feature | Earth | Jupiter |
| Diameter | 12,742 km (7,918 mi) | 139,820 km (86,881 mi) |
| Volume | 1 trillion km³ | 1,321 trillion km³ |
| Mass | 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg | 1.90 × 10²⁷ kg |
| Surface Gravity | 9.8 m/s² | 24.79 m/s² |
| Number of Moons | 1 (Moon) | 95 (including Ganymede, the largest moon in the solar system) |
From these numbers, it’s clear that Jupiter is massive compared to Earth. But how does this translate into volume?
How Many Earths Can Fit Inside Jupiter?
To determine how many Earths could fit inside Jupiter, we compare their volumes.
- Jupiter’s volume = 1,321 trillion km³
- Earth’s volume = 1 trillion km³
Calculation
If we divide Jupiter’s volume by Earth’s volume:
1,3211=1,321\frac{1,321}{1} = 1,32111,321=1,321
Final Answer:
About 1,321 Earths could fit inside Jupiter!
However, this calculation only considers volume. Since Jupiter is made mostly of gas, and Earth is a solid planet, physically stacking 1,321 Earths inside Jupiter wouldn’t work in reality.
Jupiter’s Immense Mass and Gravity
Even though Jupiter’s volume is 1,321 times greater than Earth’s, its mass is only 318 times that of Earth. This is because Jupiter is composed mostly of hydrogen and helium, making it much less dense than Earth.
Additionally, Jupiter’s gravity is 2.5 times stronger than Earth’s. This means that if you weighed 100 pounds on Earth, you would weigh about 250 pounds on Jupiter—but standing on Jupiter’s surface is impossible since it lacks a solid ground!
Fascinating Facts About Jupiter
- It Has the Largest Storm in the Solar System
- Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is a massive storm that has been raging for over 300 years. It is so large that three Earths could fit inside it!
- It Spins Faster Than Any Other Planet
- A day on Jupiter (one full rotation) lasts just 9 hours and 55 minutes, making it the fastest-spinning planet in our solar system.
- It Has a Strong Magnetic Field
- Jupiter’s magnetic field is 14 times stronger than Earth’s and extends far into space.
- It Could Have Been a Star
- Jupiter is sometimes called a “failed star” because it is made of hydrogen and helium, like the Sun. However, it was not massive enough to ignite nuclear fusion.
- It Has Over 90 Moons
- Jupiter has at least 95 known moons, including Ganymede, the largest moon in the solar system. Ganymede is even larger than Mercury!
Conclusion
Jupiter is truly a giant among planets, capable of holding 1,321 Earths inside it. With its massive size, extreme weather, and strong gravity, Jupiter remains one of the most fascinating planets in our solar system. Difference Between Astronomy and Astrology
FAQs Related to How Many Earths Can Fit in Jupiter
1. What is 90% of Jupiter?
Jupiter is about 90% hydrogen and 10% helium, with traces of other gases.
2. How many Earths can fit in the Sun?
About 1.3 million Earths can fit inside the Sun.
3. How many Jupiters fit in the Sun?
About 1,000 Jupiters could fit inside the Sun.
4. How long is a day on Jupiter?
A day on Jupiter is about 9 hours and 56 minutes.
5. How many Earths fit in Mercury?
About 18 Earths can fit inside Mercury.
6. Why is Jupiter so big?
Jupiter is big because it collected a lot of gas and dust during the early solar system’s formation.
7. Is Jupiter hot or cold?
Jupiter is cold on the outside (-145°C / -234°F) but has an extremely hot core (up to 24,000°C / 43,000°F).
8. How long is 1 year on Neptune?
1 year on Neptune = 165 Earth years.
9. Why is a day 23 hours and 56 minutes?
A full Earth rotation (sidereal day) is 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds due to Earth’s movement in orbit.
10. What planet is 100% gas?
No planet is 100% gas, but Jupiter and Saturn are mostly gas with small solid cores.
11. Can we land on Jupiter?
No, Jupiter has no solid surface, only a deep gas atmosphere and extreme pressures.
12. What is Saturn’s age?
Saturn is about 4.5 billion years old, like the rest of the solar system.
13. Do we lose 4 minutes a day?
No, but a solar day (24 hours) is slightly longer than Earth’s actual rotation (23h 56m), making the difference accumulate over time.
14. Is Earth spinning faster?
Yes, Earth’s rotation is slightly speeding up, causing some days to be a few milliseconds shorter.
15. How long is a real day?
A “real” day (sidereal day) is 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds.
16. What day do we lose 1 hour?
We lose 1 hour during Daylight Saving Time (DST) in spring when clocks “spring forward.”
17. How long is a solar day?
A solar day is exactly 24 hours, which includes both Earth’s rotation and its movement in orbit.
18. Why does the day start at 12?
The 12-hour system comes from ancient Egyptians and Babylonians, who divided the day into 12 daylight and 12 night hours.