Jupiter

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet in the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass one-thousandth of that of the Sun but is two and a half times the mass of all the other planets in the Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Together, these four planets are sometimes referred to as the Jovian or outer planets. The planet was known by astronomers of ancient times. The Romans named the planet after the Roman god Jupiter. Jupiter is primarily composed of hydrogen with a quarter of its mass being helium, although helium only comprises about a tenth of the number of molecules. It may also have a rocky core of heavier elements, but like the other gas giants, Jupiter lacks a well-defined solid surface. Because of its rapid rotation, the planet's shape is that of an oblate spheroid (it possesses a slight but noticeable bulge around the equator). The outer atmosphere is visibly segregated into several bands at different latitudes, resulting in turbulence and storms along their interacting boundaries. A prominent result is the Great Red Spot, a giant storm that is known to have existed since at least the 17th century when it was first seen by telescope. Surrounding Jupiter is a faint planetary ring system and a powerful magnetosphere. There are also at least 79 moons, including the four large moons called the Galilean moons that were first discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610.

The mysteries of Jupiter still continue to stump many modern scientists. A myriad of floating research platforms orbit the large planet, and double as a testing ground for the heavy radiation-resistant plating developed by the Dominion, which is essential for survival in Jupiter’s orbit. Accompanying the scientists are hundreds upon hundreds of refineries, which deploy and receive ships laden with the gases from the planet. Jupiter gas mining is a very dangerous occupation, and not many are willing to risk their lives in such an insane endeavor. The rewards, however, for those ships and their crews who do return from even a single trip are incredible. The only official colonies formed near Jupiter exist on the four Galilean Moons, and are very early in their development. A single malfunction, one small flaw in the radiation shielding systems of any of the colonies could mean certain death to its inhabitants. Living upon the moons of Jupiter...well, you’d better hope that your luck is better than most. Each and every colonist is a gambler, betting with their lives. All because the Dominion wants Jupiter as their own...though perhaps it isn’t the giant ball of gas itself that interests them. Subtle energy fluctuations have been spotted for mere seconds among the background radiation and violent winds. To find the source of this energy is the mission of the many scientists that research the gas giant, looking for the secrets that lie within.