Have we ever sent anything into the atmosphere of the gas giants?

In summary, the conversation discusses the existence of solid ground on gas giants, particularly Jupiter. The Galileo spacecraft released a probe that parachuted into Jupiter and was destroyed by pressure before reaching the surface, if there is one. The conversation also mentions the role of math in understanding the composition of Jupiter's atmosphere and the possibility of a rocky core beneath the layers of gas.
  • #1
GKDAIR
7
0
I've often heard there's no solid ground in the gas giants, but do we know this for a fact or are we just guessing based off the math?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
  • #2
The Galileo spacecraft released a probe that parachuted into Jupiter. It was destroyed by pressure long before it hit the "ground", if a "ground" even exists.
 
  • #3
It is unfair to call the math a "guess".
 
  • #4
Wait, what?
 
  • #5
SteamKing said:
Wait, what?

Something you didn't understand?
 
  • #6
My understanding is that as you progress downwards through the atmosphere, under the increasing pressure, the atmosphere (mainly Hydrogen), gradually tends to become liquefied and eventually take takes the form of a solid metallic hydrogen. Beneath that, and probably mixed with it to an extent is probably a rocky core. Jupiter is continually receiving hits from meteoritic debris, rocky and metallic. This presumably, plunges down, slowing in velocity as it encounters the increasing viscosity of the atmosphere, and ends up on the surface of, and mixed with the solid hydrogen.
 

1. What is a gas giant?

A gas giant is a type of planet that is primarily composed of gas, such as hydrogen and helium, and has a thick atmosphere. The four gas giants in our solar system are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

2. Have we ever sent anything into the atmosphere of the gas giants?

Yes, we have sent multiple spacecrafts to explore the gas giants. The most well-known missions are NASA's Voyager and Cassini spacecrafts, which have provided us with valuable information and images of these planets and their atmospheres.

3. What is the purpose of sending spacecrafts into the atmosphere of gas giants?

The primary purpose is to gather data and images to study the composition, structure, and dynamics of the gas giants' atmospheres. This helps us better understand the formation and evolution of these planets, as well as their impact on the rest of the solar system.

4. How do spacecrafts survive in the harsh environment of the gas giants' atmospheres?

Spacecrafts are designed and equipped with special heat shields, instruments, and communication systems to withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and strong winds in the gas giants' atmospheres. They also have power sources and propulsion systems to navigate and collect data.

5. What have we learned from sending spacecrafts into the atmosphere of the gas giants?

We have learned a lot about the gas giants' atmospheres, including their composition, weather patterns, and magnetic fields. These missions have also revealed new moons, rings, and other features of these planets that were previously unknown. The data collected has also helped us understand the conditions necessary for the formation of gas giants and their potential habitability.

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Classical Physics
Replies
20
Views
941
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
1
Views
885
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
11
Views
389
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
544
Back
Top