Study Reveals Jupiter Was Once Twice Its Current Size

Quick Summary

• Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, was once 2 to 2.5 times larger than its current size with a magnetic field 50 times as strong, according to a study published on May 20 in Nature Astronomy.
• Researchers analyzed the orbits of Jupiter’s smallest moons-Almathea and Thebe-to estimate its radius and interior state roughly 3.8 million years after the solar system’s formation.
• At that time, Jupiter existed within a protoplanetary nebula surrounding the young sun and was shaped largely through core accretion-the rapid gathering of gas around an ice and rock core.
• The findings not only reconstruct Jupiter’s primordial state but enhance models for planet formation around other stars.
• Researchers sidestepped common uncertainties in planetary evolution modeling by focusing on measurable phenomena like angular momentum conservation rather than relying on variables such as gas opacity or accretion rates.

Indian Opinion Analysis
the finding sheds light on the early stages of planetary formation within our solar system and offers broader insights into how gas giants evolve across diverse star systems-including potentially exoplanets beyond Earth’s neighborhood. For India, whose space program has seen important advancements with probes studying Mars (MOM) and upcoming lunar missions (Chandrayaan), such knowledge strengthens opportunities for planetary research collaboration globally. It also highlights potential areas of focus for Indian astronomers interested in understanding both local celestial mechanics and universal planet development processes to further space exploration objectives.

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