Gas Giants

Jupiter and Saturn are the two planets in our solar system that we recognize as gas giants. Gas giants are planets mostly composed of hydrogen and helium. While the two planets are very similar in many ways, they also have their differences. Some commonalities these planets include but are not limited to are what they are made of, their core, their magnetic fields, and where they get their heat from. Jupiter and Saturn are both mostly hydrogen and helium with interiors in hydrostatic equilibrium. They also both have many natural satellites. Their cores are very similar and only differ in size. Their magnetic fields are both hundreds of times more powerful than Earth's. Finally, they both get their heat from global contraction and radiate more energy than they absorb through sunlight. Jupiter and Saturn are very similar; however, they have differences as well. Jupiter is way more massive and has a shorter year and shorter days. Saturn is still massive but still does not compare to the size of Jupiter. Their days still only differ by about an hour, Jupiter's at 9.8 hours and Saturn's at 10.7 hours. Saturn also has a density less than water and is blanketed with 300 km of clouds. The sizes, length of days, and densities are the biggest differences between Jupiter and Saturn. The gas giants of our solar system have many similarities as well as many differences.