Every time I see programming about Jupiter I hear that Jupiter has protected the earth from massive bombardment from asteroids and comets. I don't quite understand how this is so. Jupiter can't be everywhere so I don't get how it prevents most objects from hitting the earth. Even those that travel in the same orbital plane. And what about objects that come in from other angles?

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

Gravity.

Jupiter has lots of that and so has swept up (attracted) the big (dangerous) stuff for us.


Keep searchin',
Martin

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It's our solar system's vacuum cleaner. ;-)

[edit] Well the largest of them anyway by a long way.

Cheers.

It just seems to me Jupiter's gravity would have deflected as much debris from the asteroid belt our way as much as anywhere else. And that still doesn't impact objects that come in from outside the orbital plane does it.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

It's our solar system's vacuum cleaner. ;-)

[edit] Well the largest of them anyway by a long way.

It's more than that...

It's gravitational influence means that it tends to deflect anything not directly captured into a new trajectory that then has the sun take the hit.


There may be yet more to the story with an orbital resonance between Jupiter and the sun and the other planets 'shepherding' our entire solar system... (Yes, the church had it right all along, the sun really DOES orbit a planet, except that is still not Earth :-P )


Keep searchin',
Martin

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

My point is that the earth has taken it's share of hits from asteroids along with the other planets and moons. If it weren't for Jupiter being where it is there is a likelihood that another planet would have formed and the asteroid belt would have never formed. They still haven't come to an agreement on how the planets came to be where they are so I think it is a bit of hyperbole to claim that Jupiter alone has protected the inner planets from destruction. One could claim the same about the moon. How many of the hits it has taken would have hit the earth were it not there? And that is leaving out the part where the moon stabilized the earths rotation making life possible. It's all part of the overall system.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

My point is that the earth has taken it's share of hits from asteroids along with the other planets and moons. If it weren't for Jupiter being where it is there is a likelihood that another planet would have formed and the asteroid belt would have never formed. They still haven't come to an agreement on how the planets came to be where they are so I think it is a bit of hyperbole to claim that Jupiter alone has protected the inner planets from destruction. One could claim the same about the moon. How many of the hits it has taken would have hit the earth were it not there? And that is leaving out the part where the moon stabilized the earths rotation making life possible. It's all part of the overall system.

Well Jupiter is there and it is a lot bigger than the moon..and the Earth. So its effect has been more significant.

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Reality Internet Personality

I posit that both an outer gas giant and a large stabilizing moon are both essential for intelligent life (like us) to form and prevail.

When I painted this, Jupiter felt very protective, you can also see it in the size, totally out of scale:)) The Sun is the energy provider though, shining brightly:) Nevermind, this was the Science Corner, right? ;)

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rOZZ
Music
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Thanx Chris:) The painting hangs right across this one below. I have 3 paintings hanging out atm...




Sorry for spamming your thread Bob ;)

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rOZZ
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No problem, I always like looking at inspired art.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

Nice pictures Julie you have a hidden talent you been keeping quiet about

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Lovely pictures Julie!! :)