Jupiter doesn’t have a solid surface; if we tried to land a ship at one end, would we come out at the other?
If a space mission heads towards Jupiter, the gas giant of our solar system, YesWhat happens if we try to land with a solid surface in sight? Can we cross the planet and come out on the other side? Join us on this journey to find answers to these fascinating questions about Jupiter.
How was Jupiter formed?
To better understand the uniqueness of Jupiter, we must go back in time to the moment of its formation. Computer models suggest gas giant It formed in the region of the solar system where the asteroid belt is now located.
Later he migrated deep into the solar system, destroying several “super-Earths” in its path before returning to its current position. This journey not only influenced the formation of other celestial bodies, but also played a decisive role in the current configuration of the Solar System.
Jupiter, “gas planet”
The Juno mission showed that Jupiter’s core is not solid, but is partially dissolved and surrounded by metallic hydrogen. being larger and more complex than previously thought, with a mass 7-25 times that of Earth..
But if we could…
Juno measured gravity and the magnetic field, and the findings suggest that the core is larger than expected and not solid; partially dissolves.
Without clear separation from the surrounding metallic hydrogen, its mass is 7–25 times the mass of the Earth. pic.twitter.com/LjxK0OrJhz
— Universo Recondito (@UnvrsoRecondito) June 11, 2024
These extreme conditions inside Jupiter do direct research is not possiblebut the data obtained by Juno provide surprising insight into the planet’s internal structure.
Atmosphere of Jupiter
Jupiter, the gas giant of the solar system, is an atmosphere consisting mainly of molecular hydrogen (90%) and helium (10%)., in addition to traces of methane, ammonia, water vapor and other compounds. This environment is extremely hostile to human life, completely deprived of oxygen.
As you get closer to Jupiter, the views become more impressive and dangerous. Cyclonic storms and winds of up to 500 km/h are just the beginning about the wonders and dangers that this amazing planet hides.
Discovery of the Galileo probe
The Galileo probe, the intrepid explorer that plunged into Jupiter’s atmosphere in 1995, It only lasted 58 minutes before it was eaten. due to enormous pressure.
At a depth of 700 km. The pressure is 1150 times greater than on the surface of the Earth.
The Galileo probe reached about 120 km below the cloud top when it plunged into Jupiter’s atmosphere in 1995.
It lasted just 58 minutes before losing contact and finally being destroyed by crushing pressure. pic.twitter.com/T0BGN2fDQQ
— Universo Recondito (@UnvrsoRecondito) June 11, 2024
At a depth of 4000 km, the temperature rises to 4000 ºC, sufficient to melt tungsten.metal with the highest known melting point.
At 21,000 km. pressure reaches levels 2 million times higher than on Earth, where hydrogen is converted into metallic hydrogen.a state of matter that still baffles scientists today due to its unique and poorly understood properties.
So will we be able to land and pass through Jupiter?
The answer is that the ship will sink deeper and deeper into the dense and chaotic atmosphere, face to face pressures and temperatures that can destroy any man-made object long before it reaches the supposed solid “surface”..
It is impossible to pass through Jupiter and come out the other side due to these extreme conditions., so it can only be explored from a distance. While the idea of traveling through Jupiter is exciting, the reality is that the planet is still A a hostile enigma and currently unattainable.