Is Ganymede Bigger Than A Planet?

Ganymede is a natural satellite of the planet Jupiter. It is the largest moon in our solar system and even bigger than the planet Mercury and the dwarf planet Pluto. Jupiter’s moon Ganymede has a diameter of 5,268 km, which is approximately eight percent larger than the diameter of planet Mercury, but it has only about 45 percent of the mass of Mercury. Its diameter is also two percent larger than Saturn’s Titan, which is the second-largest moon in our solar system.

How Big Is Ganymede?

Ganymede also has the highest mass of all natural satellites orbiting around the planets of our solar system. It has almost 2.02 times the mass of Earth’s moon. It is the seventh moon and third Galilean satellite on the outer side of the planet Jupiter, orbiting at approximately 1.070 million km. Ganymede takes almost seven Earth days to complete one orbit around Jupiter.

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What Is Jupiter’s Moon Ganymede Made Of?

The average density of Ganymede suggests a composition of almost equal parts of rocky material and water, which is mainly in the form of ice. Some additional volatile ices such as ammonia may also be present in the composition of Ganymede. Many scientists have observed some oceanic movements on the surface of Ganymede through the Hubble Space Telescope.

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Is Ganymede Tidally Locked?

Ganymede orbits the planet Jupiter at a distance of approximately 1,070,400 km. It is third among the Galilean satellites or the four largest moons of Jupiter. It completes one orbit every seven days and three hours. Ganymede is tidally locked with Jupiter like most known natural satellites in our solar system, which means one side of Ganymede always faces Jupiter.

What Is Ganymede Core Made Of?

Its internal structure appears to be fully differentiated and consists of an iron sulfide-iron core and silicate mantle. The precise thicknesses of the different layers in its internal structure mainly depend on the assumed composition of silicates and a comparatively smaller amount of sulfur present in the core.

How Was Ganymede Formed?

According to some scientists and astronomers, Jupiter’s moon Ganymede was probably formed by accretion or accumulation in Jupiter’s sub-nebula. It was a disc of gas and dust surrounding Jupiter after its formation. The process of accretion or formation of Ganymede probably took approximately 10,000 years.

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FAQ: Jupiter’s Moon Ganymede

Here I have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about Jupiter’s moon Ganymede.

Q1. Is Ganymede Bigger Than Any Planet?

Ans: Jupiter’s moon Ganymede has a diameter of about 5,268 km, which means it is approximately eight percent larger than the diameter of planet Mercury. However, it has only about 45 percent of the mass of Mercury.

Q2. What Makes Ganymede Special?

Ans: The average density of Ganymede suggests a composition of almost equal parts of mainly rocky material and water, which is actually in the form of ice. However, many scientists have already observed some oceanic movements on the surface of Ganymede through the Hubble Space Telescope.

Q3. How Long Does It Take Ganymede To Orbit Jupiter?

Ans: Ganymede orbits the planet Jupiter at a distance of approximately 1,070,400 km and it completes one orbit around Jupiter every seven days and three hours.

Q4. How Much Bigger Is Ganymede Than Earth’s Moon?

Ans: Ganymede has the highest mass of all natural satellites orbiting around the planets in our solar system. It has approximately 2.02 times the mass of Earth’s moon.