Jupiter and the Galilean Moons
New Pole Data from JUNO Spacecraft


Jupiter and the Galilean Moons<br><span style=New Pole Data from JUNO Spacecraft" />

The Jovian system by Real World Globes is a vibrant addition to anyone's collection of globes!

Jupiter is the fifth planet from our Sun and is, by far, the largest planet in the solar system – more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined. Jupiter's stripes and swirls are actually cold, windy clouds of ammonia and water, floating in an atmosphere of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot is a giant storm bigger than Earth that has raged for hundreds of years.

Jupiter is surrounded by 79 known moons. Scientists are most interested in the Galilean satellites – the four largest moons discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. Jupiter also has several rings, but unlike the famous rings of Saturn, Jupiter’s rings are very faint and made of dust, not ice.

Jupiter is named for the king of the ancient Roman gods.​

Juno Maps Water Ice Across Northern Ganymede

Read more about Jupiter at NASA's website.


Lesson Activities & Curriculum Standards

  • Activities for 18" Globe Kit -- see lessons #5 & #7
  • Jupiter Measuring Tapes for 18" Globe Kit -- print out at 22" for correct scale


    • Jovian Jets Globe Activity

    One of the most interesting features of Jupiter is its uniquely beautiful cloud banding patterns and massive storms, some of which can engulf the entire Earth! First visible to Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, Jupiter’s alternating banded pattern is a striking feature of this planet, in addition to its Great Red Spot - a storm that has been raging in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere for at least 400 years. The primary objective of this activity is to familiarize the student with the characteristics of Jupiter’s upper atmosphere, and the underlying physical and meteorological principles governing its dynamic nature.

    Jovian Jets activity by William Robertson

    Download Jovian Jets Globe Activity
    Jovian Jets Answer Key


    Galilean Satellites Lesson Activities & Answer Keys

  • Galilean Moons Overview - Worksheets by Michael Carroll
    • Worksheets
  • Callisto Worksheet
  • Europa Worksheet
  • Ganymede Worksheet
  • Io Worksheet
    • Answer keys
  • Callisto Answer Key
  • Europa Answer Key
  • Ganymede Answer Key
  • Io Answer Key

    • Jupiter Activites & Information

    Cassini-Huygens Mission - More Information on this mission
    Cassini Imaging Team

    Callisto Activites & Information

    Solar System Exploration: Jupiter Moon - Callisto - NASA
    JUICE: JUpiter ICy moons Explorer - European Space Agency
    The Outer Planets: The Galilean Moons of Jupiter - LASP University of Colorado
    Galilean Moons - Universe Today | November 15, 2009

    Europa Activites & Information

    New Evidence for Liquid Water on Europa - NASA
    Water Vapor Plumes Erupt from Europa - NASA
    It's Time to Go to Europa - Scientific American | April 15, 2015
    JUICE: JUpiter ICy moons Explorer - European Space Agency
    The Outer Planets: The Galilean Moons of Jupiter - LASP University of Colorado
    Galilean Moons - Universe Today | November 15, 2009

    Ganymede Activites & Information

    Solar System Exploration: Jupiter Moon - Ganymede - NASA
    JUICE: JUpiter ICy moons Explorer - European Space Agency
    The Outer Planets: The Galilean Moons of Jupiter - LASP University of Colorado
    Galilean Moons - Universe Today | November 15, 2009

    IO Activites & Information

    Planets, Io: Volcanic Moon, NASA
    JUICE: JUpiter ICy moons Explorer, European Space Agency
    The Outer Planets: The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, LASP University of Colorado
    Galilean Moons - Universe Today


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