Ignite Jupiter? Could Earthlike Planets Exist in Its Atmosphere?

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In summary, Jupiter has large cold satellites, which could be Earthlike. Earth emits more energy than from the Sun from radioactive elements still decaying in the Earth's core. Jupiter also generates energy, perhaps low level thermonuclear activity. Jupiter's magnetic field like the Sun does. Jupiter's internal pressure is near D+D reaction start. That bodes well for reaction continuing after triggering. Another Sun in the sky.
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shjacks45
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Given. The Earth has too many nukes. Jupiter is too small to self ignite as a brown dwarf. Jupiter currently emits more energy than received from the Sun.
Act. Throw nuclear weapons into Jupiter and a brown dwarf will thaw its satellites.
Jupiter has large cold satellites, which could be Earthlike. Earth emits more energy than from the Sun from radioactive elements still decaying in the Earth's core. Jupiter also generates energy, perhaps low level thermonuclear activity. Jupiter has a magnetic field like the Sun does. Jupiter's internal pressure is near D+D reaction start. That bodes well for reaction continuing after triggering. Another Sun in the sky. Yes, the ignition of Jupiter was shown in the movie "2001" but I haven't heard any recent thoughts about that.
 
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Jupiter currently emits more energy than received from the Sun.
Residual heat from formation and the release of gravitational potential energy, with a bit of energy from radioactive decays. No fusion, no relevant fission either. Nothing to "ignite" either. Below ~13 Jupiter masses you don't get a brown dwarf, no matter what you do.

Science fiction movies are not science.
 
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mfb said:
Below ~13 Jupiter masses you don't get a brown dwarf, no matter what you do.
Yes. Even a barrowload of 'nukes' is insignificant in planetary terms. Their effect would just be absorbed as a minuscule increase in temperature.
 
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sophiecentaur said:
Yes. Even a barrowload of 'nukes' is insignificant in planetary terms. Their effect would just be absorbed as a minuscule increase in temperature.
And we already got to watch that:
...21 distinct impacts were observed, with the largest coming on July 18 at 07:33 UTC when fragment G struck Jupiter. This impact created a giant dark spot over 12,000 km (7,500 mi) across, and was estimated to have released an energy equivalent to 6,000,000 megatons of TNT (600 times the world's nuclear arsenal).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Shoemaker–Levy_9
 
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And why would we want to do that anyway? People worry about the effects of a few degrees increase in temperature and you want another sun in the solar system?
 
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A low-mass brown dwarf will have a luminosity of something like 0.2% the solar luminosity, we lose another factor 25 from the distance if this object replaces Jupiter, so let's call this 0.01% for the radiation that reaches Earth. The impact on Earth's surface temperature will be very small.
 
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nasu said:
And why would we want to do that anyway? People worry about the effects of a few degrees increase in temperature and you want another sun in the solar system?
It's not warm enough for him! :oldbiggrin:
 
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shjacks45 said:
. Yes, the ignition of Jupiter was shown in the movie "2001" but I haven't heard any recent thoughts about that.

I'm about to register a book that have something to do with that... but it will take a time until I translate it to english. Nice to know that have someone interested in that.
 

1. What is Ignite Jupiter?

Ignite Jupiter is a theoretical concept proposed by scientists to artificially ignite the planet Jupiter and turn it into a small star. This would involve injecting a large amount of hydrogen gas into the planet's atmosphere and igniting it with a nuclear explosion.

2. Why would we want to ignite Jupiter?

The main reason for wanting to ignite Jupiter is to study the effects of having a second star in our solar system. It could also potentially provide a new source of energy for our planet.

3. How likely is it that Jupiter could be ignited?

The chances of successfully igniting Jupiter are very low. It would require an immense amount of energy and resources, and the potential risks and consequences are still unknown.

4. Could Earthlike planets exist in Jupiter's atmosphere?

It is highly unlikely that Earthlike planets could exist in Jupiter's atmosphere. The gas giant's environment is extremely hostile and lacks the necessary conditions for life to exist.

5. What are the potential risks of igniting Jupiter?

There are several potential risks associated with igniting Jupiter, including the release of harmful radiation and the disruption of the delicate balance in our solar system. It could also have unforeseen consequences on the other planets and their orbits.

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