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The Jovian planets are miniature solar systems
•Because planets captured gas as they were forming
they had small “solar” nebulae Þ tests of nebula theory
–Regular satellite systems
•Large moons in direct (i.e. counterclockwise), equatorial orbits
•Preserve solid material from time of formation
•Jupiter shows solar-system like density gradients
–Rings
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•Moons unusual and interesting objects in their own right
–Io – most volcanically active body in solar system
–Europa – may have liquid water ocean (and life!)
–Titan – only satellite with a thick atmosphere
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•Many properties are due to tidal forces and resonances