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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential for gas giants like Jupiter to become stars and the implications for the solar system, including the effects of magnetospheres, solar activity, and the possibility of creating a binary solar system. Participants explore various astrophysical concepts, including gravitational effects, solar interactions, and the nature of celestial bodies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the effects of increased solar output on Jupiter's magnetosphere and its potential interactions with Saturn's magnetosphere.
  • Another participant provides links to resources about Jupiter's magnetosphere and discusses gravitational effects during planetary conjunctions.
  • There is speculation about the relationship between solar activity and the visibility of Jupiter's Great Red Spot, with some suggesting a connection to solar phenomena.
  • One participant proposes that gas giants and stars might be considered positive poles, while black holes are negative, raising questions about their interactions.
  • Concerns are raised about the feasibility of gas giants fusing to create a binary solar system, with a specific mention that Jupiter would need to gain significant mass to become a star.
  • Another participant emphasizes that Jupiter's Great Red Spot exists independently of solar activity, suggesting it is a unique feature of the planet.
  • There is a mention of the Galileo spacecraft's findings regarding Jupiter and discussions on the conditions necessary for Jupiter to become a star.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the likelihood of a collision between Jupiter and Saturn, noting their stable orbits.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of viewpoints, with no clear consensus on the mechanisms by which gas giants could become stars or the implications of their interactions with solar activity. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the feasibility of gas giants fusing and the nature of their magnetic interactions.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific assumptions about gravitational effects and the nature of solar interactions, which are not fully explored or agreed upon. The discussion includes references to external resources that may provide additional context but does not resolve the uncertainties presented.

wizgrav
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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.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
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.
 
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"
Is it possible for gas giants to fuse? Could that make our solar system binary?
Thanks for caring.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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"
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.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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