Jupiter's Dimensions Are Smaller and Flatter Than Long Believed, Says NASA

New findings from NASA’s Juno spacecraft have revealed that Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, is slightly smaller and more flattened than scientists previously believed. The updated measurements refine long-standing estimates of the gas giant’s size and shape, offering fresh insights into its complex structure and atmospheric dynamics.

According to the latest analysis, Jupiter’s equatorial diameter is about 8 kilometres smaller than earlier calculations, while the planet is approximately 24 kilometres flatter at its poles. These differences may appear minor on a planetary scale, but they are significant for scientists who rely on precise measurements to understand Jupiter’s internal composition and evolution.

The revised figures are based on data collected during 13 close flybys of Jupiter by the Juno spacecraft. During these passes, Juno used its advanced instruments to track the planet’s gravitational field with exceptional accuracy, allowing researchers to calculate its dimensions more precisely than was possible with earlier missions.

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One key factor incorporated into the new measurements is the influence of Jupiter’s powerful zonal winds. These high-speed winds, which circle the planet in alternating east-west bands, affect its overall shape by redistributing mass within the atmosphere. Accounting for these winds helped scientists correct earlier assumptions that treated Jupiter as more uniformly shaped.

Jupiter’s rapid rotation has long been known to cause it to bulge at the equator and flatten at the poles, a characteristic shared by many fast-spinning planets. The Juno data, however, suggests that this flattening is slightly more pronounced than previously thought, highlighting the role of atmospheric motion in shaping the planet.

The findings underscore the value of Juno’s ongoing mission, which continues to refine scientists’ understanding of Jupiter’s physical properties. By improving measurements of the planet’s size, shape, and internal dynamics, researchers hope to gain deeper insights into how gas giants form and behave—knowledge that could also help explain similar planets beyond our solar system.

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