Herbs. Red valerian or Jupiter’s beard (Centranthus ruber) is a long-blooming perennial from the western Mediterranean that will spread throughout your garden with the greatest of ease. Its mildly ...

Understanding the Context

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun, and the largest in the Solar System. It is a gas giant with a mass nearly 2.5 times that of all the other planets in the Solar System combined and slightly less than one-thousandth the mass of the Sun. Jupiter is a world of extremes. It's the largest planet in our solar system – if it were a hollow shell, 1,000 Earths could fit inside.

Key Insights

It's also the oldest planet, forming from the dust and gases left over from the Sun's formation 4.6 billion years ago. Jupiter, the most massive planet of the solar system and the fifth in distance from the Sun. It is one of the brightest objects in the night sky; only the Moon, Venus, and sometimes Mars are more brilliant. Jupiter is designated by the symbol ♃. Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System.

Final Thoughts

Discover facts, structure, moons, rings, missions, and role in protecting Earth. Jupiter is one of the brightest "stars" in the night sky and the largest planet in the Solar System. You can easily find this gas giant even in the light-polluted skies. Facts About Jupiter – What Does Jupiter Look Like & How to See It Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and is the fifth planet out from the Sun. It is two and a half times more massive than all the other planets in the solar system combined.