Jupiter's Interior as Revealed by Juno

Abstract

Jupiter is in the class of planets that we call gas giants, not because they consist of gas but because they were primarily made from hydrogen-helium gas, which upon gravitational compression becomes a metallic fluid.  Juno, in orbit about Jupiter since 2016, has changed our view: The gravity data are much improved, and the simplest interpretation of the higher order even harmonics implies that the planet may have a diluted central concentration of heavy elements.  Jupiter has strong winds extending to perhaps ∼3,000-km depth that are evident in the odd zonal harmonics of the gravity field. Jupiter's distinctive magnetic field displays some limited local structure, most notably the Great Blue Spot (a region of downward flux near the equator), and some evidence for secular variation, possibly arising from the winds. However, Juno is ongoing; it has not answered all questions and has posed new ones.

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