Can Jupiter Become a Star if All Gas Giants Merge?

Imagine a scenario where Jupiter, our largest gas giant, merges with other gas giants in our solar system. Could this merge result in the creation of a star? The idea of creating a star from gas giants might seem like a fascinating concept, but let's delve into the physics and reality behind this scenario.

The Past and Future of Star Formation

Star formation processes have occurred throughout the universe's history. The merger of two failed stars (like Jupiter) can indeed lead to the creation of a star, provided certain conditions are met. According to astrophysical research, if the larger failed star has enough mass to start nuclear fusion in its core and has access to enough matter from the smaller one, it is possible to ignite fusion and form a star. However, this scenario generally requires a much larger mass than that of Jupiter.

Comparing Stellar Masses and Lifespans

When a cluster of stars forms from a gas cloud, the stars within the cluster should be approximately the same size and burn for similar lengths of time. However, astronomical observations have revealed clusters of yellow stars containing blue stars. Blue stars burn much hotter and more efficiently than yellow stars, but this increased efficiency comes at a cost—blue stars have shorter lifespans, typically only a few hundred thousand years, compared to the middle-aged yellow stars like our Sun. This observation suggests that the blue stars in these clusters must be relatively recent formations resulting from the merger of two yellow stars.

Mass Requirements for Star Formation

To turn Jupiter into a star, one would need to add about 1000 times its mass. However, creating a cooler red dwarf would require only around 80 times Jupiter's mass. This disparity highlights the different paths to star formation.

A cooler star like a red dwarf would need approximately 80 Jupiter masses, or about 7.5 Solar masses. For a brown dwarf to form, the mass needed is about 13 Jupiter masses.

Theoretical vs. Practical

Theoretically, Jupiter and a few other gas giants colliding and combining could result in a star. However, practically, there is insufficient mass left in our solar system (excluding the Sun, planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets) to combine gas giants to achieve the required mass. The remaining mass is only enough to form about 1.18 Neptunes, which is far short of the 79 Jupiters needed.

Simulation of Star Formation

Using advanced simulation tools like Universe Sandbox, one can model and study the conditions necessary for star formation. These simulations allow researchers and enthusiasts alike to explore the complex dynamics of gas giants merging and the resulting impacts on star formation.

Conclusion

While the idea of creating a star from gas giants is intriguing, the current composition and mass of our solar system make this scenario highly unlikely in practice. Nevertheless, the research and simulations continue to expand our understanding of the processes that govern star formation and planetary dynamics.