How much "stuff" would have to fall into Jupiter for it to start nuclear fusion reactions and become a second star? Or is it even possible?
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How much "stuff" would have to fall into Jupiter for it to start nuclear fusion reactions and become a second star? Or is it even possible?
Last edited by EvilEye; 2007-Jun-08 at 08:29 PM. Reason: correction to question
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It would take about 70 times the current mass of Jupiter to do this. It would need to be mostly Hydrogen. You did mean Fusion right? If you really meant fission, I have no idea.
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Quite a lot. Many times more mass than Jupiter currently has.
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In order to get Jupiter's mass up to where it can start fusion reactions from gravitic compression of the core it would need thirteen times its mass to even burn deuterium which wouldn't produce very much energy or keep it burning for very long (assuming natural abundances), at 65 times its current mass it would also be able to burn Lithium (again not for long and not producing very much energy), and finally at 85 times its current mass it would be able to burn hydrogen making it into a true star rather than a brown dwarf.Originally Posted by EvilEye
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a rather tought thing to achieve, even for a whole swarm of Monoliths..hahaha
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Sorry... I did mean fusion. I had just read the word and it was stuck in my fingers.
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