Laser experiments suggest helium rain falls on Jupiter

Hydrogen and helium separate at pressures and temperatures found within the gas giant

image of Jupiter

The atmosphere of Jupiter (pictured) is made up mostly of hydrogen and helium. Deep within the gas giant, helium may form into falling droplets of helium rain.

JPL-Caltech/NASA, SwRI, MSSS. Image processing by Prateek Sarpal (CC NC-SA)

Sprinkles of helium rain may fall on Jupiter.