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Jupiter doesn't stop other planets from being hit by asteroids. It's actually raises the stakes. Jupiter takes cosmic debris into it's orbit and sometimes launches it at other planets. (including Earth!) Although in some cases Jupiter takes the cosmic debris/asteroids and launches them away from the planets. It's kinda like a cosmic game of dodgeball, lol.
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LaoJupiter's strong gravitational influence helps to deflect and capture many incoming asteroids, acting as a cosmic shield for the inner planets like Earth. Its massive size and location in the solar system clear out a lot of potential debris, reducing the likelihood of impacts on the inner planets. Jupiter's presence helps maintain stability and reduce the number of asteroids that might otherwise reach the inner solar system.
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Are asteroids bigger or smaller than planets?
Planets are generally bigger than asteroids. Planets are celestial bodies that orbit a star, have cleared their orbit of other debris, and are spherical in shape due to their gravity. Asteroids are smaller rocky or metallic bodies that primarily exist in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, although they can be found throughout the solar system.
What is the difference between dwarf planets and asteroids?
For an object to be a planet it has to : orbit the sun, has enough mass to assume a rounded shape, and clear any objects in its path. Some planets (such as Pluto) are no longer planets because they do not fit the criteria above. They are then usually classed as dwarf planets. Asteroids are small pieces of rock which orbit the sun. These are much too small to become planets/dwarf planets and also don't fit the criteria above. Hope this helps :)
Tiny planets that orbit Mars and Jupiter?
Mars has two tiny moons named Phobos and Deimos, which may be captured asteroids. Jupiter has a larger number of moons, with some being considered tiny compared to its largest moons like Ganymede and Callisto. Some tiny moons of Jupiter include Metis, Adrastea, and Thebe.
Which planet does not have only one moon?
An infinite number of planets have more than one moon. Of the planets in our solar system, 3 (Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter), have more than one moon. Mars has two moons, Jupiter has at least 63, and Saturn has 60 not counting the asteroids that make up its rings.
How are space probes to the outer planets such as Jupiter protected from being obliterated by collisions with asteroids in the asteroid belt?
Space probes traveling to outer planets like Jupiter are carefully navigated through the asteroid belt to avoid collisions. They are equipped with systems to detect and maneuver around any potential hazards in their path in real time. Additionally, the design of the spacecraft often includes shielding and hardened structures to protect critical components from impacts.
