8: The Gas Giant Planets
- Page ID
- 64058
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)“Since ’tis certain that Earth and Jupiter have their Water and Clouds, there is no reason why the other Planets should be without them. I can’t say that they are exactly of the same nature with our Water; but that they should be liquid their use requires, as their beauty does that they be clear. ”
“This Water of ours, in Jupiter or Saturn, would be frozen up instantly by reason of the vast distance of the Sun. Every Planet therefore must have its own Waters of such a temper not liable to Frost. ”
Christian Huygens– Discovered Saturn’s moon Titan in 1655
Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of the Gas Giant planets
- Describe the formation of rings
- Identify the primary characteristics of each Gas Giant planet
- Compare the characteristics of each Gas Giant planet is similar
- Identify the characteristics of Gas Giant satellites
This module presents the Gas Giant Planets in our solar system: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and their moons. We will examine characteristics of each Gas Giant planet, both similar and dissimilar characteristics.
- 8.1: What do you think?
- This page describes the differences between the Gas Giants and Rocky Planets in our solar system. Gas Giants like Jupiter and Saturn are large, gaseous, and lack solid surfaces, featuring rings and many moons. In contrast, Rocky Planets such as Mercury and Earth are smaller, rocky, and closer to the sun, with distinct landscapes including mountains and craters.
- 8.2: Gas Giant Planets
- This page discusses Gas Giant planets, also known as Jovian Planets, highlighting their larger size compared to Rocky Planets and their gas composition. It notes their short revolution periods, numerous moons, and ring systems, while also mentioning that they are located farther from the Sun, resulting in longer revolution periods compared to Rocky Planets.
- 8.3: Rings
- This page discusses the characteristics and formation of rings around Gas Giant planets, which are created from materials within the Roche limit, moon breakups, or impacts. It highlights the influence of other rings and satellites on ring structures. Additionally, it notes that some non-Gas Giants, such as specific asteroids and Mars' moon Deimos, can also have rings formed through collisions or tidal forces when they come near their parent planet.
- 8.4: Planet Jupiter
- This page discusses Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, highlighting features like the Great Red Spot, which has changed over time since observations began in 1610. It generates more heat than it receives and has a dense core. Jupiter has a hydrogen and helium atmosphere, a rapid rotation of 9.8 hours, a longer revolution of 11.86 years, a thin ring, and a strong magnetic field. It also acts as a natural radio source and experiences auroras.
- 8.5: Jupiter’s Satellites
- This page details that Jupiter has 67 known moons, making it the planet with the most satellites in the solar system. The largest four moons, known as the Galilean Satellites, were discovered by Galileo Galilei and include Callisto, Europa, Ganymede, and Io. Notably, Io orbits closest to Jupiter and is recognized for its volcanic activity, whereas Ganymede is larger than Mercury.
- 8.6: Planet Saturn
- This page highlights Saturn, the "ringed planet," which boasts the most intricate rings among Gas Giants and a less turbulent atmosphere than Jupiter. It features a unique polar hexagon from a jet stream and has a low density, suggesting it could float in water. Saturn likely possesses a small rocky core enveloped by hydrogen and helium, and experiences auroras and lightning. Its rotational features, rings, and magnetic field are emphasized as defining traits.
- 8.7: Saturn’s Rings
- This page discusses Saturn's rings, first seen by Galileo in 1610, which are made of various particles, primarily water ice and rocky materials. Huygens theorized their existence in 1655, and Cassini detailed their structure, noting gaps between numerous smaller rings. The rings are shaped by shepherd moons, with the F ring showing twisting due to Prometheus. Electrostatic forces are linked to radial spokes in the B ring, and a distant Phoebe ring was identified in 2009.
- 8.8: Saturn’s Satellites
- This page discusses Saturn's 62 known moons, highlighting Titan, the second-largest moon in the solar system, which has a thick nitrogen atmosphere and surface liquid methane. Titan was discovered by Christian Huygens in 1655. Most of Saturn’s moons are small, under 50 kilometers in diameter, with notable moons like Enceladus, known for geysers, Mimas, and Prometheus, showcasing various interactions with Saturn's rings. This illustrates the diverse characteristics of Saturn's satellite system.
- 8.9: Planet Uranus
- This page discusses Uranus, discovered by Sir William Herschel in 1781 and often referred to as Neptune's twin. It has a unique sideways rotation likely caused by a collision with its moon, Miranda. As an Ice Giant, it features a cold atmosphere rich in water, ammonia, and methane ices. The planet has 13 dark rings and 27 moons, exhibits auroras, and has short retrograde rotation of 17.3 hours with a long revolution of 84.01 years, along with a tilted magnetic field of approximately 45 degrees.
- 8.10: Planet Neptune
- This page discusses Neptune, discovered in 1846 through calculations by Le Verrier and Adams. As an Ice Giant, it is smaller and denser than Uranus, featuring the Great Dark Spot storm and fast-moving atmospheric scooters. Neptune has five broken rings and 14 moons, with Triton being notable for its retrograde motion and volcanism. Its atmosphere is more active than Uranus', highlighting Neptune's dynamic nature in the solar system.
- 8.11: Gas Giant Planets and Select Satellites Overviews
- This page offers an overview of the gas giants in our solar system—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—highlighting their atmospheres, rotation and revolution periods, rings, magnetic fields, and moons. Jupiter is the largest with a strong magnetic field, Saturn is famous for its rings, and Uranus and Neptune are ice giants with notable magnetic tilt. The text also draws comparisons to "hot Jupiters" found in other star systems, implying some may be failed stars.