High in the sky, 267 million miles from the earth, is the planet Jupiter. This largest of all planets (that we know about) makes its orbit 480 million miles away from the sun at a speed of 28,000 miles per hour. It is heavier than all the other planets put together, as large as 13 earths, and its surface is 120 times as great. Its night and day of only about ten hours contrasts with the earth’s 24-hour revolution.
In 1979 and again in 1986 spacecrafts flew by this great planet and found that its actual surface could not be photographed because a thick covering of clouds always hides it.
Jupiter can be seen from earth by using a strong telescope. Its pink- and salmon-colored clouds are a beautiful sight as it shines brightly on a clear night. Perhaps the most interesting and puzzling detail about Jupiter is its 20,000-mile-long red spot which seems to drift and change color from time to time and even temporarily disappears. Scientists think it may be caused by volcanos, but they do not really know. It may be caused by the 300-mile-per-hour whirling storms that scour its surface.
Because Jupiter is almost five times as far from the sun as is the earth, it is extremely cold, and nothing could live on it. No water could exist in its -200ûF temperature. Also, its atmosphere (poisoned by chemicals that erupt from inside it) could never support life even for one moment. Men, properly dressed in space suits, have walked on the moon, but none will ever walk on Jupiter!
This reminds us of the wisdom of God, the Creator, in placing the earth at exactly the right distance from the sun (approximately 93 million miles) to provide the correct amount of heat and light for all the creation He has placed here. King David, no doubt thinking of this, said, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-21<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. 2Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. (Psalm 19:1‑2)).
Jupiter is one of the four major outer planets of the sun, the others being Uranus, Saturn and Neptune. Not one of them could sustain any form of life. Only the earth was formed for that purpose. Jupiter’s attractiveness as a marvel of God’s creation includes one large ring around it, discovered by a spacecraft trip, plus the fact that it has 16 moons circling it, some with volcanos erupting on them. Twelve of them circle clockwise and four counterclockwise.
As we gaze up into the starry sky, let us always remember that all are kept in perfect order by the One who placed them there. In their beauty and the pattern of their orbits, which is always the same, He has taken great pleasure. We are privileged to share their beauty with Him in a small way.
MARCH 5, 1995
ML-03/05/1995