MGEB11H3 Study Guide - Final Guide: Galilean Moons, Roche Limit, Ring System
8 Feb 2014
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Jovian: hydrogen rich, low density (formed in outer nebula), rich in hydrogen and helium. Jupiter 11x earth"s diameter, 71% of planetary matter in solar system. Jupiter and saturn called gas giants, but filled with liquid. Uranus and neptune called ice giants, water in solid and liquid, blue coloured from small amonts of methane in atmosphere. Jovian planets core of rock and meter, no solid surface to walk. Atmospheres marked by cloud belts parallel to equators. Have extensive moon system which affects planetary ring systems, some active. Orbits sun at 5. 2 au in 11. 9 yrs. Sidereal rotation is 10 hrs, fastest spinning rate. Interiors composed mostly of liquid metallic hydrogen. Stirred by convection currents and spun by planet"s rapid rotation, drives dynamo effect and generates magnetic field, 20x stronger than earth"s. Magnetic field traps charged particles from solar wind in radiation belt. Rocky core of heavy elements 4x hotter than surface of sun.
