The University of Oregon Astronomy Department says Jupiter radiates between 1.5 to two times the amount of energy it receives from the sun back into space. Similar planets, such as Saturn, also radiate more energy into space than they receive.
Jupiter's size --- 11 times Earth's diameter --- is thought to be the main reason for the large amount of excess energy it pushes out into space, according to the University of Oregon. Planets cool over time after they are formed, but because Jupiter is so large, it is taking longer to cool than smaller planets. Theories reported by the University of Oregon predict Jupiter will cool in the future and emit less energy into space.
NASA reports the large amounts of excess energy emitted from Jupiter is thought to be the result of large amounts of energy trapped in the planet's interior when it was forming. NASA explains gravitational forces are still acting on Jupiter, adding to the amount of excess energy produced.
