August 02,2023
By Sonakshi Kandhari
Besides the nine planets, the sun, the moon and the celestial bodies, there are a staggering 200 moons in the solar system. Discover the seven largest moons in the solar system (descending order).
With a diameter of 5,270 kilometres, it is also Jupiter’s largest moon. Underneath its crust lies iron ore, generating a magnetic field that elicits gas that induces aurora borealis-like effect.
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Saturn’s moon, spanning 5,149 kilometres, exudes a golden glow. Furthermore, it emits ethane and methane from its surface and creates a large lake of natural gases around it.
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Jupiter's eighth largest moon, 4,880 kilometres in diameter, has the solar system's oldest surface. Interestingly, scientists believe there could be an ocean beneath its surface.
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With a diameter of 3,640 kilometres, this moon's vibrant orange luminescent glow results from intense volcanic activity. It mainly consists of sulphur dioxide, molten rock and iron.
Io
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One-fourth Earth's size, this moon spans 3,475 kilometres in diameter. Its craters stem from asteroid collisions and debris during its formation. It's high in magnesium, oxygen and aluminium.
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The smallest of Jupiter’s Galilean moons, stretching across 3,130 kilometres, paints a pretty picture with its icy formations. Due to its hydrogen and oxygen atmosphere, it has exceptionally low pressure.
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Neptune’s largest moon is made of rock, a metal core and frozen nitrogen. Only marginally smaller than Pluto, this planet extends across 2,370 kilometres.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons