net. Jupiter's equatorial diameter is more than 5,000 miles larger than its polar diameter.<br><br>Watching Jupiter night after night can be a rewarding pursuit. In addition to the changing positions of its moons, the planet's rapid rotation brings nearly all of its visible area into view in a single night. At times, individual belts and zones become more or less prominent. Some have even disappeared for extended periods of time.<br><br>All observers should use filters to bring out fainter detail not visual