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Question
Why does Jupiter have so many moons?
The most important reason that Jupiter has so many moons is that it is the largest planet, and there is a much larger region of gravitational stability around Jupiter than there is for any of the other planets. Most of the moons of Jupiter are small and orbit very far from the planet. They are presumably captured asteroids. It is easier for Jupiter to capture asteroids and to hold on to them than it is for smaller planets to do so.
November 18, 2002
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