4.6 billion years ago, Jupiter saved Earth during its formation

When the solar system formed about 4.6 billion years ago, a gigantic cloud of dust and gas collapsed on itself. And according to a recent study, without Jupiter's help, Earth would have been swallowed up by the sun. 

It must be said that the Sun has absorbed a large quantity of matter, including the various materials that allow the formation of planets. But according to recent observations on other solar systems, this did not happen thanks to Jupiter.

Indeed, the gas giant would have traveled to the middle of our solar system while expanding. Subsequently, it would have changed direction, forming a hole in the cloud of dust and gas, isolating several future celestial bodies.

Thus, this situation allowed the planets to stabilize their different orbits and to develop, as is the case with Earth. In other words, they were not destroyed by the Sun thanks to Jupiter, as André Izidoro, author of this study, explains: 

"Jupiter didn’t just become the biggest planet, it set the architecture for the whole inner solar system. Without it, we might not have Earth as we know it."

However, there are still many mysteries surrounding the solar system and the planets within it. And there is no doubt that future studies could help to find answers.