The chemistry of Jupiter

Running head: The chemistry of Jupiter

Chemistry of Jupiter

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Chemistry of Jupiter

Introduction

Jupiter is the largest planet, its chemistry and study has not yet strike a conclusive spot. There is still need for more research and study about the planet, this is because there more yet to be discovered about the planet and its importance (Georgia institute of technology, 2001).

 The planet contains gases such as hydrogen and helium whose composition is like a star. The planet of Jupiter has very little solid surface if any (Georgia institute of technology, 2001). About a third on the way down, hydrogen becomes metallic therefore conducting electricity. Jupiter has strong magnetic fields at this layer; the magnetic fields are majorly due to the electric currents created by Jupiter’s fast rotation. The magnetic fields are 20,000 times greater than the earth’s magnetic fields (Icarus 1976). It extends as far as Saturn’s atmosphere (Georgia institute of technology, 2001).

Deeper in the atmosphere there is increased in both temperature and pressure which compresses and hence changing hydrogen gas into liquid (Georgia institute of technology, 2001). Jupiter as a planet is so important to the human race; this is because it acts as a magnet that attracts comets that would otherwise strike earth at a speed of 140, 000 miles per hour. Jupiter has dark and light clouds, the white clouds are cooler while the dark are lower and warmer as they are closer to the core (Georgia institute of technology, 2001).

The red spots on Jupiter changes from orange to dark brown, changes which are attributed to the atmospheric changes in Jupiter (Georgia institute of technology, 2001).The change in color also signifies changes in the storm intensity. The magnetosphere of Jupiter is the largest object in the atmosphere. If it were visible from the earth it would be the size of the moon in the sky (Georgia institute of technology, 2001).

There have been space explorations going to other planets especially, satellites and flyby missions’ conducted in Jupiter this includes: pioneer which was initially designed to test the radiation on Jupiter to gather information for future missions, the next mission to be conducted was voyager which began to rework mechanics when pioneer returned with the data about the radiation, it improved the craft because of more intense radiation than anticipated as the research by pioneer pointed. More shields and protection were added to the craft.

 The other mission was Galileo which sought to investigate what lie beneath the clouds of Jupiter’s atmosphere, what caused the magnetic storms and other trivial questions. A discovery was made which showed that rings may be formed from dust particles kicked up from interplant meteoroids crashing into inner moons.   

 In 2011 Juno seeks to conduct an in depth study of the planet’s chemistry, atmosphere, interior structure and magnetosphere. Because little is known about the planet a flyby mission is more advisable so as not take any chances. Equipment with very strong protective shield is needed in order to get close enough to further examine the undergoing activities. More might be discovered about the planet by somehow dropping cameras with the ability to sense activities in the environment into the atmosphere, this gives a more in depth idea about what is going on beneath the surface, though the cameras won’t last for a long time it would give NASA data to analyze.

References

Georgia Institute of Technology (2001, August 29). Weird Chemistry: Researchers study                       unique characteristics (2), pp. 23-4            

Icarus, A.l (1976). Jupiter Myths and Intricacies; Volume 29, Issue 2, Pages 321-328