What if the Sun Swallowed Jupiter

Introduction

• Topic: Exploring the scenario of Jupiter colliding with the Sun.
• Key Questions:
  • How would Jupiter reach the Sun?
  • What happens during the collision?
  • Effects on the Solar System and Earth.

Causes of Jupiter's Collision with the Sun

• Requires a massive gravitational disturbance to alter Jupiter's orbit.
• Possible culprits: Rogue star or black hole passing close to Solar System.
• Objects need to be at least twice as massive as the Sun.
• Impact on Jupiter's gravitational field, making its orbit eccentric.
• Precise timing needed to only affect Jupiter and not other planets.

Journey of Jupiter towards the Sun

• Spiraling Orbital Decay: Jupiter's journey towards the Sun.
  • Years to centuries for Jupiter to travel 778 million km.
  • Accelerates under the Sun's gravity.

Phases of Destruction

• Roche Limit: Jupiter's disintegration phase.

  • ~900,000 km from the Sun, begins to get torn apart.
  • Tidal locking leads to only one side facing the Sun.
  • Shape changes from spherical to oblong elliptical.

• Formation of Accretion Disc:

  • Jupiter's atmosphere forms a glowing ring around the Sun.
  • Both Jupiter and the Sun mainly consist of hydrogen and helium.

Impact on the Sun and Earth

• Sun absorbs Jupiter without significantly increasing mass.

  • Temporary increase in brightness during energy absorption.
  • Minor effect on Earth's climate with slightly more sunlight.

• Gravitational Impact:

  • Loss of Jupiter leaves Earth exposed.
  • Higher chances of comet and asteroid impacts without Jupiter's gravitational pull.
  • Increased existential risks from large cosmic objects.

Speculation and Future Planning

• Concerns for Earth's safety increase without Jupiter as a