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Last Post 3/18/2013 1:18 PM by  Lindsay Glesener
Sun / gases
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3/17/2013 9:08 PM

    Casey R (WM)

    Since jupiter is gas, similar to the sun, why doesn't jupiter blow up?


    Emilia Kilpua



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    3/18/2013 12:34 AM

    A good question! Strong gravity holds the gas planets (such as Jupiter) together. However, they do not have enough mass that nuclear fusion could start to produce energy in its core like in Sun. Gas planets do not have a clear surface, the atmosphere just gets thinner and thinner.

    Emilia


    Lindsay Glesener



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    3/18/2013 1:18 PM
    Another thing to keep in mind is that the Earth also has a lot of gas! Our atmosphere is made up of gas, but the gas does not go flying off away from the Earth because it is held there by the gravity of the Earth. (Gravity is the attraction that all matter feels toward other matter.) In the case of Jupiter, the entire planet is made out of gas; there is no solid core or crust like the surface of the Earth. However, the gas itself has enough mass that gravity works to keep the whole thing together. --Lindsay
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