17.8 NOTES
What do we know about Jupiter and Saturn?
Objective: Identify some features of Jupiter and Saturn
Jupiter is the largest planet in the
solar system, and the 5th planet from
the Sun. Because of it size, Jupiter
can be seen without a telescope.
Jupiter is a gas giant composed of
hydrogen and helium gases.
The gas giants have rings around
them that are made up of small
particles of dust and ice that circle
the planet around its equator.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffm2ak10ptQ&feature=relmfu
Jupiter has a well-known feature called
its Great Red Spot. Astronomers believe
this is a huge storm, similar to a cyclone.
The second largest planet in
the solar system is Saturn. It
is a gas giant like Jupiter that
is also made up of hydrogen
and helium. Saturn is less
dense than Jupiter. It is even
less dense than water.
Saturn has three main rings,
and thousands of smaller
rings inside them. There is a
large gap between two rings
called the Cassini division
that was studied by the Cassini probe in 2004.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yTERvUeOnc&feature=relmfu