The macabre and beguiling journey to Jupiter

Over the course of humanity, humans waged relentless wars to rule each other. Generations passed by with more intelligence as rockets zigzagged around the aqua sky and telescopes were there to fulfill our stargazing ambitions. Nonetheless, beyond our reach is infinite acres of jet-black space, showcasing the biggest planet in our solar system: the towering figure of Jupiter.

Jupiter - or the Big Planet - is a gas giant, appearing to have no surface but a core, making it inhospitable for life. It is hauntingly beautiful when browsing the photos of Jupiter from the Hubble Telescope, but zooming in, it is gloom and doom for you. The Big Planet boasts the Great Red Spot, a colossal spot also known for its treacherous storms. If you thought the 1970 Bhola cyclone was enough, humanity is lucky they aren’t being sucked into this storm, screaming for help. The horror of this planet is more than enough. Zooming out, then, we are relieved to see the brightest auroras in the solar system on the top of the planet. The giant ball of gas also incorporates a ring system that follows the rules of three the naked eye is unable to see.

Jupiter is known for its 95 moons such as Europa and Thebe, each sharing their own neighborhood and its 50 km thick clouds: the space version of the Bermuda Triangle. Considering the unlikely scenario you succeed in navigating through the clouds, you would have to face insurmountable amounts of hydrogen. Likewise, Jupiter is a failed star as hydrogen and helium constitute its atmosphere(at a ratio of 9:1), similar to the sun. Jupiter can be acknowledged as the Solar System’s vacuum cleaner as its dominant gravity attracts many of the space objects. Crash! Its appealing facts gravitate us but going in too deep is a grave oversight.

Earthlings fear asteroids and comets for the damage they cause. However, fear not as Jupiter is here. Jupiter is a fearless ranger and a shield as it yields its sword to incoming space objects. Jupiter elicits the Death Star as its swirling red spot resembles the renowned circular part of the Death Star. This massive planet would also feel quite lonely as it does not get many organic visitors. Perhaps Jupiter felt the same way as Frankenstein. Scientists have discovered Jupiter is shrinking. As the Big Planet shrinks, the Earth will become more vulnerable to impending doom. Always having a chance being hailed by space objects is not something to be laughed at.

Jupiter is pulchritudinous but we must be cautious. Being sucked into the planet is not one’s best dreams. Notwithstanding, Jupiter deflects all meteoroids and thus should be cherished by learning more about the wonder planet. Sooner or later, notable bookshops will carry lengthy Jupiter encyclopedias: there are endless topics concerning Jupiter. May the savior Jupiter be there always.