Jupiter would need to be 75 to 80 times more massive than it is at present to be considered a star. If all of the planets in the solar system had formed as part of the gas giant, it still would not have sufficient mass. Still, by itself, Jupiter is two and a half times larger than all of the other planets in the solar system combined. read more
Jupiter does have a strong magnetic field which implied there is some sort of metallic center, like earths molten iron and nickle core, however some scientist believe it may not me heavy metals, but metallic hydrogen that's at the center of many gas giants. read more
Jupiter is made (mostly) out of elements that are gases at standard conditions for temperature and pressure (STP, 0-20 °C, 1 atm). Jupiter is mostly not at STP--the pressures are so great throughout the majority of these giants that these "gases" are compressed into liquids and solids to give overall densities comparable to water (1.33 g/mL for Jupiter, 0.68 g/mL for Saturn). read more