Discover the mystery of the largest satellite in the solar system

Ganymede is the largest natural moon of Jupiter and also the largest moon in the solar system. It is even larger than Mercury, which was once considered a planet.

Moon Ganymede Jupiter is almost a literal planet. This distant world is not only the largest moon in the solar system, but its size is larger than the planet Mercury.

Ganymede has captured the imagination of people on Earth for decades, making it a popular setting for many works of science fiction, from novels by Robert A. Heinlein to the animated series Cowboy Bebop. But the truth about Ganymede can be even more interesting than fictional stories.

Jupiter’s moon, Ganymede, is almost a literal planet.

Jupiter’s moon, Ganymede, is almost a literal planet.

Ganymede was officially discovered in 1610 by the Italian astronomer Gallileo. However, it is possible that it was first observed much earlier. “Encyclopedia of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures” refers to the ancient Chinese astronomer, Gan De, whose records suggest he may have discovered this Moon in 365 BC.

In his writings he mentions having seen a Moon – “little red star” next to Jupiter. Notably, Gan De made his observations without using a telescope; while theoretically Ganymede is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, it is however often dimmed by the bright image of Jupiter.

In April 2023, ƐSA launched a spacecraft to Jupiter. Named the explorer of the icy moon of Jupiter (Jus), Ganymede is both the main target and the final destination of its 500 million kilometer journey. When it arrives, it will allow humanity to see this fascinating and mysterious world more closely.

Ganymede measures 3,270 miles in diameter, about 8% larger than Mercury’s 3,032 miles.

Ganymede is 3,270 miles in diameter, about 8% larger than Mercury’s 3,032 miles.

A moon the size of a planet

If Ganymede orbits the Sun instead of Jupiter, it is almost certainly considered a true planet for several reasons. One of the main reasons is her size. It measures 3,270 miles in diameter, about 8% larger than Mercury’s 3,032 miles. The planet getting the most attention right now as a destination for spacecraft and robotic explorers is Mars, which is just 4,212 miles in diameter, not much larger than Ganymede.

However, the main difference between Ganymede and the planets is it is significantly lighter than Mercury or Mars. Like the moon Ɛuropa, Most of Ganymede’s mass is water and ice. As a result, its surface gravity is much lower in proportion to its large diameter.

Thus, by setting foot on Ganymede, astronauts will certainly have a feeling very similar to that of walking on the Earth’s Moon.

Most of Ganymede’s mass is water and ice.

Most of Ganymede’s mass is water and ice.

One day in Ganymede is equivalent to 7 days on Earth

Ganymede rotates much slower than the Earth. A day on this Moon lasts about 7 days on Earth. The reason Ganymede’s day is so slow is because it is locked to Jupiter.

Like Earth’s Moon, Ganymede is nearly locked on one side to its home planet, while its other side always faces outward. In other words, a date on Gɑnymede coincides with its orbit. In the sky of Ganymede, Jupiter is a permanent element that never moves from its place.

Tides occur with any Moon that orbits its planet close enough. When the gravity on the Moon is strong enough, the side closest to it will feel a stronger pull than the side facing outward.

Inside, Ganymede looks amazingly like Earth.

Inside, Ganymede looks amazingly like Earth.

Ganymede has a heart of iron

Inside, Ganymede is surprisingly similar to Earth. Somewhere below the surface, our planet is divided into several distinct layers of matter. When the planet is still young and has not finished cooling, heavier matter sinks deeper into the center, which is why the Earth has an iron core.

According to an article published in Nature, this functionality also exists in Ganymede. Jupiter’s largest moon is also composed in almost the same way. If you can cut it in half, you will find multiple layers with their separate components.

Ganymede’s core is made of iron, like the cores of real planets like Earth. Some planetary scientists suspect Ganymede’s core may even be molten. Apparently Jupiter’s largest moon has more in common with Earth than we thought.

However, the only way to be sure is to take a closer look with specialized tools. It’s one of the things ESA’s Juice spacecraft wants to learn more about. As for Ganymede, finding out more about the Moon’s core is one of his main scientific goals.

Ganymede also has an iron core so it also has a magnetic field.

Ganymede also has an iron core so it also has a magnetic field.

A magnetic moon

Earth’s iron core is what generates our planet’s magnetic field, shielding its surface — and us — from harmful cosmic radiation. As Ganymede also has an iron core, it also has a magnetic field.

In fact, as NASA explains, it’s the only moon in the solar system with a planet-like magnetic field. Ganymede’s magnetic field is most likely generated by its core, but some observations suggest that something else on the Moon is influencing its magnetism. Ganymede’s observations of the magnetic field suggest that it could harbor a huge amount of liquid water below the surface, affecting the shape of this Moon’s magnetic field.

Ganymede is the only moon in the solar system with a planet-like magnetic field.

Gɑnymede is the only moon in the solar system with a planet-like magnetic field.

However, unlike Earth, Ganymede’s magnetic field is quite weak. Even at its strongest, it is weaker than Mars’ fragile magnetic field. Meanwhile, Mars has a magnetic field about 40 times weaker than Earth’s.

Since Earth’s magnetism keeps its surface shielded, Ganymede’s magnetic field appears to be too weak to perform the same task. It probably won’t do much to protect future astronauts who might land there.

Article source: PNVN