Level 2
Shrinking Great Red Spot
Of the eight planets in the Solar System, Jupiter is the biggest.
Its name comes from a Roman god. Jupiter was the king of the
gods.
Jupiter is a gas giant. It is not a rocky planet like Mars or the
Earth.
Most of Jupiter is hydrogen and helium gas. The planet is
completely covered in clouds.
Jupiter has at least 60 moons. This is more than any other
planet. Most of Jupiter’s moons are very small.
There is a huge storm on the surface of Jupiter. This storm has
an elliptical shape. It is called the Great Red Spot.
The Great Red Spot is three times bigger than the Earth. The
storm’s winds blow at more than 320 kilometers per hour.
Two Voyager spacecraft flew past Jupiter over 20 years ago.
They took photographs of the Red Spot. Now space telescopes
can study the storm.
Scientists say that the storm is shrinking. They are unsure why
this is happening.
Questions:
1. Where does Jupiter’s name come from?
2. Jupiter is not a rocky planet, what is it?
3. What does Jupiter have more of than any other planet?
4. How much bigger than the Earth is the Great Red Spot?
4. What speed does the storm’s winds blow at?
[Open question}
Which planet in the Solar System would you like to visit and
why?
Sample Answers:
1. Jupiter’s name comes from a Roman god.
2. Jupiter is a gas giant.
3. Jupiter has more moons than any other planet.
4. The Great Red Spot is three times bigger than the Earth.
5. The storm’s winds blow at more than 320 kilometers per
hour.
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