Study for the Astronomy Exam. Prepare with interactive questions and thorough explanations. Master astronomy concepts and get exam-ready!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


How long does it take for Jupiter to complete one orbit around the sun?

  1. 5 Earth years

  2. 10 Earth years

  3. 12 Earth years

  4. 15 Earth years

The correct answer is: 12 Earth years

Jupiter takes approximately 12 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun. This period is known as a "Jovian year." The length of a planet's orbit is primarily determined by its distance from the Sun, as described by Kepler's Third Law of Planetary Motion. Jupiter is significantly farther from the Sun than Earth, which results in a longer orbital path and a slower orbital speed compared to the inner planets. To put this into context, the vast distance from the Sun means that Jupiter must travel a much larger circumference in its orbit compared to Earth. Because of this distance and relative speed, a full revolution around the Sun takes nearly 12 times longer than it does for Earth. Thus, when considering the choices given, the correct duration reflects the unique orbital dynamics of gas giants like Jupiter as they interact gravitationally within the Solar System.