The Solar System - Word Search - PUZZLE #9 JUPITER - August 2025

PUZZLE #9 - JUPITER 

IN-CONTEXT WORD DEFINITIONS

Great Red Spot: This is the most iconic feature on Jupiter, a persistent, enormous anticyclonic (high-pressure) storm located in the planet's southern hemisphere. It has been observed for centuries and is larger than Earth, characterized by its reddish-orange hue and swirling, turbulent clouds.

Turbulence: Jupiter's dynamic atmosphere is characterized by extreme "turbulence." This refers to the chaotic and irregular motion of its vast cloud systems, driven by strong winds, heat convection from the interior, and the planet's rapid rotation. This turbulence creates the intricate patterns of belts, zones, and storms.

Oblate: Jupiter is an "oblate" spheroid, meaning it is noticeably flattened at its poles and bulges at its equator. This shape is a direct result of its rapid rotation, which causes the planet to spread out at its middle.

Eddy Currents: In Jupiter's deep metallic hydrogen layer, electrical "eddy currents" are generated by the planet's rapid rotation and convection. These currents are crucial for creating and maintaining Jupiter's powerful, complex magnetic field, which is the strongest in the Solar System.

Galilean: This term refers to Jupiter's four largest moons – Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto – which were discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610. These "Galilean" moons are significant in their own right, each possessing unique characteristics like volcanism (Io), a subsurface ocean (Europa), and a magnetic field (Ganymede).

Stormy: Jupiter's atmosphere is notoriously "stormy." In addition to the Great Red Spot, the planet hosts numerous other smaller storms, cyclones, anticyclones, and thunderclouds, generating powerful winds and lightning displays.

Belts: These are the darker, reddish-brown bands or stripes visible in Jupiter's atmosphere. "Belts" are regions where gas is sinking and cooling, and they are associated with downward atmospheric motion and cyclonic storms. They often appear to move in the opposite direction from the brighter zones.

Zones: These are the lighter, whitish or yellowish bands in Jupiter's atmosphere, alternating with the belts. "Zones" are regions where gas is rising and cooling, associated with upward atmospheric motion and anticyclonic storms, including the Great Red Spot.

JUPITER: The largest planet in our solar system, a gas giant primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. It is characterized by its rapid rotation, powerful magnetic field, numerous moons, and swirling atmospheric features like the Great Red Spot.

Secret Word: This is an adjective meaning "of or pertaining to Jupiter." For example, the four giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) are often referred to as the Jovian planets, distinguishing them from the terrestrial planets. "Jovian" features describe characteristics unique to Jupiter.