Author Question: What do the densities of the moons of Jupiter tell us about their origin? What will be an ideal ... (Read 98 times)

LCritchfi · **on:** Jul 27, 2018

What do the densities of the moons of Jupiter tell us about their origin?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Describe the belt-zone circulation on Jupiter.

What will be an ideal response?

cadimas · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ganymede and Callisto have low densities of only 1.9 and 1.8 g/cm3, respectively, meaning they must consist roughly of half rock and half ice. Observations of their gravitational fields by the Galileo spacecraft reveal that Ganymede has a rocky or metallic core and lower-density icy exterior, so it is differentiated. Callisto is apparently only partly differentiated. Both moons interact with Jupiter's magnetic field in ways that show they probably have mineral-rich layers of liquid water 100 km or more below their icy crusts.

Answer to Question 2

The poles and equator on Jupiter are about the same temperature. The planet's rapid rotation stretches the high- and low-pressure areas into belts and zones that circle the planet.