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Who discovered Jupiter's moons?

Updated: 4/28/2022
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8y ago

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Galileo discovered the four major moons. Others were added over the years by different people and by close up viewing by probes.
The planet Jupiter has been known since ancient times and is visible to the naked eye in the night sky. The Romans named the planet after the Roman god Jupiter (also called Jove). The astronomical symbol for the planet is a stylized representation of the god's lightning bolt.

The Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese refer to the planet as the wood star based on the Chinese Five Elements. In Vedic Astrology, Hindu astrologers refer to Jupiter as Brihaspati, or "Guru" which means the "Big One". In Hindi, Thursday is referred to as Guruvaar (day of Jupiter). In the English language Thursday is rendered as Thor's day, with Thor being identified with the Roman god Jupiter.

In 1610, Galileo Galilei discovered the four largest moons of Jupiter, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto (now known as the Galilean moons) using a telescope, the first observation of moons other than Earth's. This was also the first discovery of a celestial motion not apparently centered on the Earth. It was a major point in favor of Copernicus' heliocentric theory of the motions of the planets; Galileo's outspoken support of the Copernican theory placed him under the threat of the Inquisition.

In 1892, E. E. Barnard observed a fifth satellite of Jupiter with the 36-inch refractor at Lick Observatory in California. The discovery, a testament to his extraordinary eyesight, made him quickly famous. The moon was later named Amalthea.

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12y ago

Galileo Galilei discovered the moons using his homemade telescope.

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Q: Who discovered Jupiter's moons?
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Related questions

When was jupiters moons discovered?

Jupiter's moons were discovered in 1610 do not think I am lying because galileo is my great grand father.


What are the names of Jupiters moons that Galileo discovered?

Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.


Which of jupiters moons is called the ice moon?

jupiters ice moon is Io


What could Jupiter's moons be used for?

we can't use jupiters moons for anything because fistly we can not get out that far to reach Jupiters moon and if we could it would take thousands of years and Jupiters Moons would be to big to do anything with anyway. so the answer to What could Jupiter's moons be used for? is....Nothing.


Who obsereved jupiters moons?

Socrates, Gallileo


What is jupiters double cluster?

it's moons


What are the names of jupiters 4 largest moons?

== ==


What moon has volcanic activity and water?

Jupiters Moons


What would Jupiters moons look like from Jupiters surface?

Jupiter dosent have a surface. And if it did, you wouldn't be able to see the moons because of the 30 mile thick clouds!


Are most of Jupiter's moons asteroids?

jupiters moons are different some have an atmosphere and MOST are asteroids


What of Jupiters moons may have life on it?

Europa has frozen oceans.


What are the Jupiters three largest moons called?

Lo Europa and Ganymede