Washington – A study has revealed that after the destruction of the first generation of orbiting planets, the planets in our solar system comes in as the second generation. The study also indicates that the inner solar system may have come under a clean sweep from Jupiter before positioning itself in its current place in orbit.
This according to the scientists is likely to give an explanation to the difference in the constitution of the solar system in comparison with the other planetary system that is orbiting different stars.
There is less super earth rock like worlds in other planetary system orbiting closer to the sun than Mercury and which are said to be about 10 times the size of the earth.
Astronomers have said that this is the theory that supports the solar system and makes it unique. It is referred to as the Grand Track theory which triggered the exploration of the solar system and which was first proposed for the first time in 2011.
The disruption of the orbits of the protoplanets by Jupiter may have led to the chain reaction of destructive collision. Besides, the debris may have destroyed planets that had been caught up in Jupiter’s rampage.
Never the less we would still get worried if satellites got destroyed especially in the low–earth orbit.
“The absence of planets inside the orbit of Mercury would be one of the most interesting features now that we are able to look at our own solar system in the context of all these other planetary systems.” This was said by professor and chair of astronomy, Gregory Laughlin. “The solar system is by day looking like an oddball”, Gregory added.
According to him, their work shows a possibility of Jupiter creating a collisional cascade within the solar system.
Amongst many other characteristics of the earth that may be explained by the findings, Gregory was quick to add that the main explanation would be about the “gaping hole” found in the solar system.