<P> Jupiter is thought to consist of a dense core with a mixture of elements , a surrounding layer of liquid metallic hydrogen with some helium , and an outer layer predominantly of molecular hydrogen . Beyond this basic outline , there is still considerable uncertainty . The core is often described as rocky , but its detailed composition is unknown , as are the properties of materials at the temperatures and pressures of those depths ( see below ) . In 1997 , the existence of the core was suggested by gravitational measurements , indicating a mass of from 12 to 45 times that of Earth , or roughly 4 % -- 14 % of the total mass of Jupiter . The presence of a core during at least part of Jupiter 's history is suggested by models of planetary formation that require the formation of a rocky or icy core massive enough to collect its bulk of hydrogen and helium from the protosolar nebula . Assuming it did exist , it may have shrunk as convection currents of hot liquid metallic hydrogen mixed with the molten core and carried its contents to higher levels in the planetary interior . A core may now be entirely absent , as gravitational measurements are not yet precise enough to rule that possibility out entirely . </P>
<P> Jupiter is thought to consist of a dense core with a mixture of elements , a surrounding layer of liquid metallic hydrogen with some helium , and an outer layer predominantly of molecular hydrogen . Beyond this basic outline , there is still considerable uncertainty . The core is often described as rocky , but its detailed composition is unknown , as are the properties of materials at the temperatures and pressures of those depths ( see below ) . In 1997 , the existence of the core was suggested by gravitational measurements , indicating a mass of from 12 to 45 times that of Earth , or roughly 4 % -- 14 % of the total mass of Jupiter . The presence of a core during at least part of Jupiter 's history is suggested by models of planetary formation that require the formation of a rocky or icy core massive enough to collect its bulk of hydrogen and helium from the protosolar nebula . Assuming it did exist , it may have shrunk as convection currents of hot liquid metallic hydrogen mixed with the molten core and carried its contents to higher levels in the planetary interior . A core may now be entirely absent , as gravitational measurements are not yet precise enough to rule that possibility out entirely . </P>
what is jupiter 's core made up of
what is jupiter 's core made up of
a mixture of elements , a surrounding layer of liquid metallic hydrogen with some helium , and an outer layer predominantly of molecular hydrogen
a mixture of elements , a surrounding layer of liquid metallic hydrogen with some helium , and an outer layer predominantly of molecular hydrogen