Jumping Jupiter & the Comets

Life on Earth Would Be Impossible Without Them

No, it is not the name of a band from the 1950s. "Jumping Jupiter and the comets" refers to recently discovered features of solar system design that make advanced life possible on Earth. In an effort to understand the solar system's formation, scientists continuously devise models to explain how the planets ended up in their current positions. For advanced life to be possible, a host planet like Earth must receive specified resources (water is one of many) from comets and asteroids at the just-right times and in just-right amounts. This fine-tuned delivery of resources requires comet and asteroid belts of just-right sizes, compositions, configurations, and distances. To get all these...