Jupiter is pretty fascinating.
Correct me if I'm muddling up my planets but I remember hearing that Jupiter is actually the second largest celestial body in our solar system after Sol IF you include it's magnetic field.
Jupiter's ginormous magnetic field is a relatively recent discovery, NASA only figured out that it was there while they were building the voyager satellite. They had to rebuild the satellite to incorporate extra magnetic shielding or its electronics would have been destroyed when it sling shot past.
This magnetic field is also thought to operate as a bit of a shield for earth and is often deflecting or attracting asteroids and comets that would otherwise be pummeling into us.
It might even be the case that the main factor that has allowed life to continue to develop on earth is the protection that Jupiter provides us.
So here's to Jupiter, a total bro, fighting asteroids and comets on our behalf which we sleep peacefully in our beds.
(post is archived)