Jupiter and Moons - Astronomy Matters

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Jupiter and Moons . . .

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system. Its diameter is 88,846 miles (142,984 kilometers), more than 11 times that of Earth, and about one-tenth that of the sun. It would take more than 1,000 Earths to fill up the volume of the giant planet. When viewed from Earth, Jupiter appears brighter than most stars. It is usually the second brightest planet-after Venus.

Jupiter was king of the gods and ruler of the universe in Roman mythology. He is also called Jove. Jupiter was originally the god of the sky and of such atmospheric phenomena as thunder and lightning. He used a thunderbolt as a weapon, and he had the power to send the earth clear weather, rain, or destructive storms. Jupiter made certain that mortals lived out their lives according to fate. Jupiter had the same powers as the Greek god Zeus.

Jupiter was a son of Saturn--the son of the earth and sky and ruler of the universe. Jupiter and the other children of Saturn overthrew him, and Jupiter took Saturn's place. Jupiter's brothers were the gods Neptune and Pluto. His sisters were the goddesses Ceres, Juno, and Vesta.

Jupiter married Juno, who became queen of the gods. But he had many mistresses, both goddesses and mortals. Juno was jealous and persecuted Jupiter's lovers. The children of Jupiter and Juno included the gods Mars and Vulcan. Jupiter's other children included the gods Apollo, Bacchus, and Mercury; the goddess Diana; and the hero Hercules. Jupiter also was the father of the nine Muses, who inspired art, poetry, and learning. According to some myths, the goddess Minerva sprang full grown from Jupiter's head.

The religious center of Rome was Jupiter's temple on the Capitoline Hill. The temple had shrines to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. These three deities (gods or goddesses) became known as the Capitoline triad. Jupiter's symbols were the oak tree, eagle, and thunderbolt. The largest planet is named for him.