How Jupiter prevented a planet from forming in the asteroid belt

Jupiter stopped a planet from forming

Jupiter’s gravity kept material between Mars and Jupiter from joining together into a planet. The asteroid belt left there may contain millions of objects at least a kilometer wide, yet all of them together weigh less than one-thousandth as much as Earth.

Fusing atoms heavier than iron costs a star energy

Stars release energy by joining light atomic nuclei into heavier ones. But once a massive star reaches iron, joining nuclei into still heavier elements requires energy instead of releasing it. The star can no longer support itself through this kind of fusion.

Aztec homes were relit from one new fire

Every 52 years, the Aztecs held a New Fire Ceremony when their 260-day and 365-day calendars realigned. They believed the fifth sun might end that night, so they put out fires across the realm, drilled a new fire over a sacrificial victim, and carried it to communities to relight homes.

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How Jupiter prevented a planet from forming in the asteroid belt

Jupiter stopped a planet from forming

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