Can gas giants like Jupiter become stars and create a binary solar system?

In summary, Jupiter's magnetosphere is elongated by the Sun, almost reaching the orbit of Saturn. Increased solar output could cause the magnetospheres to touch. The recent conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn is not likely to cause earthquakes on Earth. The red eye on Jupiter is related to solar activity. There is no possibility of gas giants fusing and making our solar system binary. The red spot on Jupiter is a unique feature and not caused by opposing fields. It is unlikely that Jupiter and Saturn would collide.
  • #1
wizgrav
2
0
Hi, I don't have a solid background in astrophysics. I need some help.
Jupiter's magnetosphere is elongated by the Sun.
It almost reaches the orbit of Saturn.
What would happen if, by increased solar output, the magnetospheres touched?
Recently we had a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Could that cause the earthquakes?
How does the red eye on Jupiter connect with Sun ?
Is it affected by the sun and jupiter, (Was there a reaction when sun peaked of 2001)?
Could the solar fields contain a reaction on a gas giants surface and "ignite" it?
It would be really nice if you could point me to research.
Thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
See if these help.

Here is a summary of Jupiter's magnetosphere, which apparently goes out as far as Saturn, and that would imply that that the two magnetospheres have touched as Jupiter by-passes Saturn.
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/jupiter/upper_atmosphere.html

http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/captions/jupiter/magneto.htm

http://www-ssc.igpp.ucla.edu/personnel/russell/papers/jup_mag/


http://www2.ku.edu/~kuspace/outreach/bursts.html

Recently we had a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Could that cause the earthquakes?
On earth? Using g = GM/r2, one could compare g's for M = mass of moon, Jupiter and Saturn at closest approach to see the relative gravitational effects.


How does the red eye on Jupiter connect with Sun ?
Relation between the Visibility of Jupiter's Red Spot and Solar Activity
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v222/n5188/abs/222069a0.html

Could the solar fields contain a reaction on a gas giants surface and "ignite" it?
If one means fusion reactions, the answer is no. There are interactions between atmospheres of the planets and the solar wind, and no ignition takes places.
 
  • #3
I think the spots on both sun and Jupiter are created by opposing fields.
Maybe all gas giants and stars are positive "poles" and black holes the negative.
http://www.physorg.com/news119109042.html" [Broken]
Is it possible for gas giants to fuse? Could that make our solar system binary?
Thanks for caring.
 
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  • #4
wizgrav said:
I think the spots on both sun and Jupiter are created by opposing fields.
That's an interesting idea, but I believe that the red spot on Jupiter is present even in quiet solar period without sunspots or the massive eruptions. The red spot on Jupiter is certainly a unique feature as planets go.

Maybe all gas giants and stars are positive "poles" and black holes the negative.
AFAIK, black holes are far away, so they wouldn't have much influence on us.

V4641 Sgr: The Closest Black Hole Candidate
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000117.html
An object many astronomers believe is a black hole has been found only 1500 light-years from Earth, making it the closest black hole candidate.

http://www.physorg.com/news119109042.html" [Broken]
Is it possible for gas giants to fuse? Could that make our solar system binary?
Thanks for caring.
System 2M1207 is interesting.

For a second star in our system, Jupiter would have to pick significant mass - about 80 times its present mass in hydrogen to become a star.
Here is an interesting discussion on Jupiter and the Galileo spacecraft which crashed into Jupiter - http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/jupiter_galileo.html - it also talks about what would need to happen for Jupiter to become a star.

It is unlikely that Jupiter and Saturn would collide. They are pretty much set in their orbits.
 
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1. What is the magnetosphere?

The magnetosphere is the region of space surrounding a planet that is influenced by its magnetic field. It acts as a protective shield, deflecting harmful charged particles from the Sun and other sources away from the planet.

2. How is the magnetosphere formed?

The magnetosphere is formed by the interaction between the planet's magnetic field and the solar wind, a continuous stream of charged particles emitted by the Sun. The magnetic field lines of the planet are distorted by the solar wind, creating a region of trapped particles and electric currents.

3. What is the purpose of the magnetosphere?

The main purpose of the magnetosphere is to protect the planet and its inhabitants from the harmful effects of solar and cosmic radiation. It also plays a crucial role in the planet's climate and atmosphere by trapping particles and helping to regulate the flow of energy.

4. What are the layers of the magnetosphere?

The magnetosphere is divided into several layers based on their distance from the planet. The innermost layer is the plasmasphere, followed by the ring current, the radiation belts, and the magnetopause, which marks the boundary between the magnetosphere and the solar wind.

5. How do changes in the magnetosphere affect Earth?

Changes in the magnetosphere can have significant impacts on Earth's climate and technology. Severe space weather events, such as solar storms, can disrupt satellite communications, power grids, and navigation systems. Changes in the magnetosphere can also affect the formation and strength of the auroras in the atmosphere.

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