Jupiter takes its name from the king of the Roman gods and for good reason - because it’s the biggest planet in the Solar System.

It’s 1300 times the size of Earth, but is made almost entirely of gases, swirling in continuous electrical storms and hurricanes. Its most famous storm - known as the Great Red Spot - has been raging for almost 400 years!

Jupiter’s core is extremely magnetic and it has the strongest gravitational pull of any planet, sucking in asteroids, meteors and comets as they pass. At just under ten hours long, Jupiter has the shortest day of all the planets.

Average distance from the Sun:     778,400,000km 
                                                  (483,700,000miles)

Length of year:                             11.9 Earth years

Diameter:                                     142,980km (88,846miles)

Average temperature:                   -238°F (-150°C)