The answer may surprise you – it’s not the sun! Jupiter’s weather is driven by two things: the planet’s internal heat, and the pressure of the surrounding gas and dust.
Jupiter is a gas giant, and doesn’t have a solid surface like Earth. Instead, it has a deep atmosphere made of hydrogen and helium. This atmosphere is heated from within by the planet’s internal heat – the leftover energy from when Jupiter formed, about 4.5 billion years ago.
This internal heat makes Jupiter’s atmosphere much hotter than the sunlit side of the planet. The difference in temperature between the two sides is what drives Jupiter’s weather patterns.
The other thing that drives Jupiter’s weather is the pressure of the surrounding gas and dust. This pressure is caused by the gravity of the planet, and it affects the way the atmosphere moves.
The combination of these two factors – the internal heat and the pressure of the surrounding gas and dust – creates the amazing weather patterns we see on Jupiter.
Other related questions:
Q: What is the source of Jupiters energy?
A: Jupiter’s energy comes from two main sources: the accretion of material during its formation, and the release of gravitational potential energy as it contracts.
Q: What do scientists think drives weather on Jupiter?
A: There is still much we don’t know about weather on Jupiter, but scientists believe that the planet’s weather is driven by a combination of factors. These include the planet’s rotation, the composition of its atmosphere, and the heat released from inside the planet.
Q: What drives powerful storms in the atmosphere of Jupiter?
A: There are a few factors that can contribute to powerful storms on Jupiter. One of the most important is the planet’s large size. Jupiter is much more massive than Earth, meaning that it has a stronger gravitational pull. This can lead to more powerful winds and storms. Additionally, Jupiter’s atmosphere is very dense and contains a lot of water vapor. This combination of factors can create the perfect conditions for strong storms to form.