Rarity of Jupiter-sized planets confirmed | Ross, H. 1995.
Facts and Faith 9(2):3. CELD ID 6518Abstract During the past two years I have written two articles explaining why a planet almost exactly the mass of Jupiter is essential for the survival of life (at least advanced life) on Earth. [1, 2] As you may recall, I described how a planet any bigger would pull the earth's orbit out of the life-support zone and a planet any smaller would inadequately shield us from comet and asteroid collisions. I also described George Wetherill's theoretical studies demonstrating the extreme rarity of Jupiter-sized planets anywhere.
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