Galilean Moons

Galilean moons are the four largest moons orbiting Jupiter, discovered by Galileo Galilei in 1610. They are Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. These moons are significant because they are some of the largest objects in the Solar System outside the planets themselves. Ganymede is even bigger than Mercury. Each moon has unique features: Io is volcanically active, Europa has a subsurface ocean that may harbor life, Ganymede is the largest moon with a magnetic field, and Callisto has a heavily cratered, ancient surface. They provide valuable insights into planetary systems and the potential for life beyond Earth.