AST101H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Galilean Moons, Europa Europa, Metallic Hydrogen
Document Summary
Jupiter is the largest and most massive planet in the solar system. Radius derived from angular size and distance. Jupiter is about 11x rearth - large enough to hold 1400 earts. Mass measured from the orbits of its many moon"s (ch 3) Average density = 1. 33 gm/cm3, just slightly more than water = mostly hydrogen. Rotation taxes only 9. 9 hours even though it"s so large = very high speed. Causes jupiter to have a bulging equator. We derive the interior structure using computer calculations. Use the average density of 1. 33 gm/cm3 to estimate the composition. Use the balance between weight and pressure. A thick atmosphere of hydrogen gas and molecules containing a lot of hydrogen. Below the atmosphere is a deep ocean of hydrogen compressed into a liquid. Below that is another deep ocean of hydrogen compressed to a liquid metal capable of conducting electricity. Below that is ocean of water where hydrogen and oxygen combine.
