Posted on 05/15/2015 4:03:11 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Explanation: In this sharp snapshot, the Solar System's largest moon Ganymede poses next to Jupiter, the largest planet. Captured on March 10 with a small telescope from our fair planet Earth, the scene also includes Jupiter's Great Red Spot, the Solar System's largest storm. In fact, Ganymede is about 5,260 kilometers in diameter. That beats out all three of its other fellow Galilean satellites, along with Saturn's Moon Titan at 5,150 kilometers and Earth's own Moon at 3,480 kilometers. Though its been shrinking lately, the Great Red Spot's diameter is still around 16,500 kilometers. Jupiter, the Solar System's ruling gas giant, is about 143,000 kilometers in diameter at its equator. That's nearly 10 percent the diameter of the Sun.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit and Copyright: Damian Peach/SEN]
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Juno is on its way to Jupiter and due to arrive in July of next year.
Juno and Jupiter didn’t always get along (she wasn’t happy with his philandering) so it’s good to hear that they seem to have reconciled.
Thaaat's right....just a little bit closer....
Ganymede is larger than Mercury, about the same size as Mars, but has very low density. It may have a liquid water atmosphere 60 miles thick (holding more water than found on earth. If we could drive Ganymede into Venus, we might get something habitable (after everything cooled down).
The giant red spot is lookin’ a bit peak-ed there. It’s not even red anymore.
And didn’t someone at APOD mention that it was disappearing a year or so ago?
I’m not sure, but I’m old and forget stuff.
Anyway, it’s still a great picture, especially since it was taken through a
small telescope here on Earth.
Thank you for the post and ping, as ever, Mr. Civilizations.
Doubtless! I’m sure. :)
Wow, and I used to think it took forever to get movies on video here! ;’)
“It’s a trap!”
I believe you’re right, it was a few years ago, the “other” big spot on Jupiter was fading out at the same time.
I’ve often thought that the next moon of Saturn to be discovered should be named Mutthead, to go with Mimas. Maybe it’s just me.
Wow, Mars is small!
Well, thank you, my dear. I actually do have at least two brain cells to rub together after all! ;-)
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