Jupiter-like gas giants could push Earth-sized planets out of their original orbits, preventing life from emerging on other worlds. American astrophysicists from the University of California at Riverside came to this conclusion. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Astronomical Journal (TAJ).
Computer simulations have shown that it would be difficult for Earth to remain habitable if there were many large planets nearby.
The solar system remains a successful exception to the rule, because in it Jupiter plays the role of a protector, not a cosmic bully. Strong gravity deflects asteroids and comets that would otherwise pose a danger to Earth.
However, if the gas giants were closer to the Earth or more numerous, such an impact could hurl our world beyond the habitable zone (the region where conditions allow the existence of liquid water and, consequently, the existence of life on the surface). of the planet.
“There are only a few select areas where the giants’ gravitational pull will not send a rocky planet out of orbit and directly beyond the habitable zone,” said study author and astrophysicist Stephen Kane.
Formerly Juno probe to create Organic compounds in Jupiter’s largest moon, Ganymede.