Part 13/14:
Beyond its striking appearance, Jupiter plays a crucial role in the stability and evolution of our Solar System. Its strong gravitational pull captures and influences many objects, preventing potential catastrophic impacts on Earth and likely contributing to the formation and destruction of smaller celestial bodies over eons.
Could Jupiter Become a Star?
An intriguing question is whether Jupiter could turn into a star. Despite its hydrogen-rich composition, scientists estimate that Jupiter would need to be about 75 times more massive to ignite nuclear fusion and become a star. Its current size is comparable to the smallest red dwarf stars in terms of volume but falls short of the required mass threshold.