Jupiter the giant planet of the Solar System is 319 times heavier than the Earth. Jupiter was named for the Roman king of the gods (Zues in Greek mythology). Jupiter is about 5 times further from the Sun than Earth (5.20 A.U.) Jupiter is a gaseous planet and is the model for the other Jovian (Jupiter like) planets known as Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Jupiter turns completely on its axis in only 9h55min (0.41 Days) and takes 11.2 Earth years to completely orbit around the Sun. Jupiter has a massive hurricane type storm that one can observe through a telescope known as "The Great Red Spot."

Looking at Jupiter through a telescope can also reveal contrasting colored bands of gas clouds with the dark band called "belts" and the lighter bands called "zones." These bands are produced by Jupiter's attempt to transfer heat (by convection) outward from its center. Jupiter radiates more energy than it receives from the Sun.

Jupiter's fast rotation and massive amount of metallic hydrogen creates the largest magnetic field in the Solar System. Jupiter's magnetic field as well as its massive gravitational field influences the inner moons of Jupiter first discovered by Galileo about 400 years ago. These "Galilean" moons can be observed with a small telescope; they look like little bright points of light aligned along the equatorial plane of Jupiter. Jupiter has 63 known moons with more being discovered all the time.