Computer simulations conducted by Stephen Kane, an astrophysicist at the University of California, Riverside, examined a hypothetical extra Earth-like planet between Mars and Jupiter and analyzed its effects on the orbits of all the planets in our solar system.
Simulations found that adding a planet between Mars and Jupiter to our fine-tuned solar system could destabilize its orbits and eventually end life on Earth.
While the formation of a whole new neighborhood world is fortunately unlikely, the findings have implications for efforts to search for life in other solar systems.
According to Professor Kane, the purpose of his experiment was to explore two notable gaps in the formation of our solar system compared to others.
The first is the gap between the sizes of the terrestrial planets, the largest of which is Earth, and the gas giants, the smallest of which is Neptune, which is actually four times larger than Earth and has a mass 17 times the mass of our planet.
And the second gap is in the location. In relation to the sun, there are no planets between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Our solar system is somewhat unique in that it contains life-supporting Earths but no super-Earths.
Super-Earths are a class of planets that often orbit other stars. It is defined solely by its mass, which ranges between 2 and 10 Earth masses.
And while searching for other galaxies and exoplanets over the years, scientists have noticed that super-Earths are relatively normal, except in our solar system.
Because there is no representative super-Earth here, it is difficult for planetary scientists to understand these types of planets in other systems.
The astrophysicist explained that understanding the cause of each of the two gaps could provide key insights into the structure of our solar system, as well as the evolution of Earth.
Accordingly, Professor Kane ran a series of dynamic computer simulations adding a planet between Mars and Jupiter, looking at a range of different masses for such an object, and observing what kind of effects it had on the orbits of other planets.
The results have been largely disastrous for the solar system – and for life on Earth. “This imaginary planet gives Jupiter enough of a boost to destabilize everything else,” Professor Kane explained.
Jupiter is much larger than all the other planets combined, with a mass of 318 times that of Earth, which means that its gravitational influence is profound.
Accordingly, even the slightest perturbation of Jupiter by adding a terrestrial planet could profoundly affect the orbits of all the other planets in the solar system.
In fact, depending on its extreme mass and exact location, its presence could eventually drive Mercury, Venus, Earth, Uranus, and Neptune out of the solar system.
And even if Earth weren’t catapulted into deep space, adding a super-Earth to the solar system would certainly change its orbit, making our home at least more hostile to life, if not outright inhospitable.
Professor Kane added: “Although many astronomers would like this extra planet to exist, it is a good thing we don’t have it.”
The only way the astrophysicist has found for the planet to remain stable for a relatively long period is to make its mass smaller, at which point a small window opens for it between Mars and Jupiter.
However, even slight changes in its orbital trajectory will make things go badly, according to Professor Kane. (Russia Today)