Much of the turbulence in JupiterΓÇÖs atmosphere is caused by the planetΓÇÖs rapid rotation. Despite its enormous girth, Jupiter makes a full rotation once every ten hours. Jupiter is also subject to a phenomenon known as ΓÇ£differential rotationΓÇ¥: the planet rotates more swiftly at its equator than at its poles. Differential rotation is possible because Jupiter consists mainly of gas and fluid; unlike the solid surface of a planet like Earth, different areas can easily slip past each other at different speeds.
