Jupiter, the solar system’s largest planet, holds a profound secret beneath its swirling, colorful clouds: a vast, exotic “ocean.” Unlike Earth’s familiar watery expanses, this Jovian ocean is composed of liquid metallic hydrogen. This unique state of matter exists due to the extreme pressures and temperatures deep within the gas giant.
What is Jupiter’s Ocean Made Of?
Deep within Jupiter, hydrogen undergoes a profound transformation due to immense pressure and high temperatures. Scientists estimate that at depths around 20,000 kilometers, where temperatures reach approximately 11,000 Kelvin and pressures are about 3 million atmospheres, hydrogen transitions from a liquid molecular state to a metallic one.
In this metallic state, electrons are no longer bound to individual hydrogen atoms but instead move freely, similar to how electrons behave in metals on Earth. This electron detachment gives the liquid hydrogen properties akin to a metal, making it an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. Although it’s called “metallic,” it’s more like a shiny, light version of liquid mercury rather than a hard solid.
How the Ocean Powers Jupiter’s Magnetic Field
The presence of liquid metallic hydrogen is directly responsible for Jupiter’s powerful magnetic field. This electrically conductive fluid, constantly swirling and flowing due to the planet’s rapid rotation, creates a “dynamo effect.” The movement of this vast, conductive liquid generates strong electrical currents.
These currents, in turn, produce a magnetic field that is orders of magnitude stronger than Earth’s. Jupiter’s intrinsic magnetic field strength is estimated to be 20,000 times greater than Earth’s. This immense magnetic field extends millions of miles into space, forming the largest planetary magnetic structure in our solar system.
The Immense Scale of Jupiter’s Ocean
Jupiter’s liquid metallic hydrogen ocean is the largest “ocean” in our solar system. This deep layer of metallic hydrogen extends from a depth of about 20,000 kilometers down to approximately 60,000 kilometers.
This exotic ocean occupies a significant portion of Jupiter’s interior. It accounts for approximately 80% of the planet’s total volume. To put its vastness into perspective, Jupiter itself is large enough to contain over 1,300 Earths.
Exploring Jupiter’s Depths and Dynamics
Scientists study Jupiter’s internal structure and its unique ocean through spacecraft missions. NASA’s Juno spacecraft, which arrived at Jupiter in 2016, has provided unprecedented insights into the planet’s interior. Juno’s instruments measure Jupiter’s gravitational and magnetic fields, which helps scientists infer the composition and dynamics of its deep layers, including the liquid metallic hydrogen.
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, launched in April 2023 and set to arrive in 2031, will contribute to our understanding. While JUICE’s primary focus is on Jupiter’s icy moons, it will also observe Jupiter’s atmosphere and magnetosphere, providing additional data that informs models of the planet’s internal processes. These missions help scientists explore how turbulent dynamics within Jupiter’s atmosphere are analogous to ocean dynamics on Earth, suggesting a complex interplay of forces throughout the entire planet.