Jupiter mass

Current best estimates

The current best known value for the mass of Jupiter can be expressed as :

M_\mathrm{J}=(1.89813 \pm 0.00019)\times10^{27} \text{ kg},

which is about as massive as the Sun (is about ):

M_\mathrm{J}=\frac{1}{1047.348644 \pm 0.000017} M_{\odot} \approx (9.547919 \pm 0.000002) \times10^{-4} M_{\odot}.

Jupiter is 318 times as massive as Earth:

M_\mathrm{J} = 3.1782838 \times 10^2 M_\oplus.

Context and implications

Jupiter's mass is 2.5 times that of all the other planets in the Solar System combined—this is so massive that its barycenter with the Sun lies beyond the Sun's surface at 1.068 solar radii from the Sun's center.

Because the mass of Jupiter is so large compared to the other objects in the Solar System, the effects of its gravity must be included when calculating satellite trajectories and the precise orbits of other bodies in the Solar System, including the Moon and even Pluto.

Theoretical models indicate that if Jupiter had much more mass than it does at present, its atmosphere would collapse, and the planet would shrink.{{cite journal

Gravitational constant

The mass of Jupiter is derived from the measured value called the Jovian mass parameter, which is denoted with GMJ. The mass of Jupiter is calculated by dividing GMJ by the constant G. For celestial bodies such as Jupiter, Earth and the Sun, the value of the GM product is known to many orders of magnitude more precisely than either factor independently. The limited precision available for G limits the uncertainty of the derived mass. For this reason, astronomers often prefer to refer to the gravitational parameter, rather than the explicit mass. The GM products are used when computing the ratio of Jupiter mass relative to other objects.

In 2015, the International Astronomical Union defined the nominal Jovian mass parameter to remain constant regardless of subsequent improvements in measurement precision of . This constant is defined as exactly

(\mathcal{GM})^\mathrm N_\mathrm J = 1.266,8653 \times 10^{17} \text{ m}^3/\text{s}^2

If the explicit mass of Jupiter is needed in SI units, it can be calculated by dividing GM by G, where G is the gravitational constant.

Mass composition

The majority of Jupiter's mass is hydrogen and helium. These two elements make up more than 87% of the total mass of Jupiter. The total mass of heavy elements other than hydrogen and helium in the planet is between 11 and . The bulk of the hydrogen on Jupiter is solid hydrogen. Evidence suggests that Jupiter contains a central dense core. If so, the mass of the core is predicted to be no larger than about . The exact mass of the core is uncertain due to the relatively poor knowledge of the behavior of solid hydrogen at very high pressures.

Relative mass

Notes

References

References

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2. Coffey, Jerry. (18 June 2008). "Mass of Jupiter". [[Universe Today]].
3. "Numerical Standards for Fundamental Astronomy". IAU Working Group.
4. (November 6, 2012). "Newton's Gravity". Springer New York.
5. (2015). "IAU 2015 Resolution B3 on Recommended Nominal Conversion Constants for Selected Solar and Planetary Properties".
6. "The Interior of Jupiter".
7. (December 1997). "New Constraints on the Composition of Jupiter from Galileo Measurements and Interior Models". Icarus.
8. (January 1962). "Jupiter: Chemical composition, structure, and origin of a giant planet". Icarus.
9. "Planetary Fact Sheet – Ratio to Earth".
10. (2015). "Evidence for a spectroscopic direct detection of reflected light from 51 Peg b". Astronomy & Astrophysics.