Jupiter’s early evolution has shed light on how our solar system developed its unique structure. According to a new study published in Nature Astronomy, researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the planet’s primordial state.
Konstantin Batygin and Fred C. Adams from Caltech and the University of Michigan respectively, used calculations to determine that Jupiter was approximately twice as large and had a stronger magnetic field 3.8 million years after solid formation began. This study aims to uncover the early phases of planet formation, which is crucial for understanding how our solar system took shape.
The researchers focused on two small moons, Amalthea and Thebe, which orbit Jupiter closer than its largest moon Io. They analyzed the tiny orbital discrepancies in these moons to calculate Jupiter’s original size: about 2,000 Earths in volume. Additionally, they found that Jupiter’s magnetic field was around 50 times stronger back then.
This study offers a fresh perspective on existing planet formation theories, which suggest that giant planets like Jupiter form through core accretion. The researchers’ analysis provides more precise measurements of Jupiter’s size, spin rate, and magnetic conditions at an early stage.
Batygin emphasizes the significance of this discovery: “What we’ve established here is a valuable benchmark… from which we can more confidently reconstruct the evolution of our solar system.”
Source: https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/jupiter-was-formerly-twice-its-current-size-and-had-a-much-stronger-magnetic-field