Jupiter ‘eats’ other smaller planets, say scientists

Considering all the facts that we know about Jupiter seems like quite a terrifying planet. Also known as the ‘king of planets’, it is ten times larger than Earth. Moreover, Jupiter is twice the size of all the planets in our solar system combined. Also, Jupiter has double the strength of our gravity and a very dense and dry atmosphere. The Big Red Dot that is visible on its surface is actually a storm that’s been raging on it for many centuries.

But some scientists now suggest that Jupiter could have more brutal characteristics than what was previously believed. In the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, an article has been published, which says that the planet may have earned its size and enormity by gobbling up other smaller planets.

The article remarks that Jupiter probably has the remains of other smaller planets hidden inside it. There has been a theory which says Jupiter was born out of other planets. However, a distinct picture had come up after the planet’s very famous gasses temporarily parted. After this, Nasa’s Juno space probe could get better data about its core.


This information has enabled the scientists to get more information about what Jupiter looks like under all those massive gas clouds. However, the chemicals that make-up Jupiter’s core indicate that it has most likely engulfed a lot of smaller planets which are also called planetesimals. It has also eaten up space rocks which further boosted its growth.

On the contrary, there have been two different theories as to how Jupiter acquired its initial rocky material. The first theory is that the planet accumulated billions of smaller space rocks over a period of time. The second theory, which is supported by the newest study, says that the formation of Jupiter's core happened from the absorption of many smaller planets or large space rocks or both.

But until this time, it hasn't been clear as to which of the both theories are accurate.