Jupiter's Birth Precisely Dated to 1.8 Million Years After Solar System Formation

A groundbreaking study published on August 25, 2025, in Scientific Reports has precisely dated the formation of Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. Researchers from Nagoya University in Japan and the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) utilized the analysis of chondrules—tiny, spherical droplets of molten rock found within meteorites—to pinpoint Jupiter's birth approximately 1.8 million years after the solar system began.

The study centers on chondrules, which are believed to have formed from the intense heat generated by high-speed collisions between planetesimals, the small rocky and icy bodies that populated the early solar system. These impacts caused material to melt, creating the characteristic spherical droplets that then solidified. The research team conducted sophisticated computer simulations of Jupiter's growth, demonstrating how the giant planet's immense gravitational influence would have triggered these energetic collisions between planetesimals. The simulations successfully replicated the observed characteristics of chondrules found in meteorites, validating the proposed mechanism.

Dr. Diego Turrini, a co-author from INAF, highlighted the significance of these findings, stating, "This tells us that Jupiter was born at that exact time. Meteorites preserve that record, providing the clearest evidence of the planet's formation." The study reveals that the peak period of chondrule formation coincided precisely with Jupiter's rapid accumulation of nebular gas, a crucial phase in its development into a gas giant, providing compelling evidence for Jupiter's early and rapid formation.

Beyond dating Jupiter's genesis, this research introduces a valuable new technique for tracing the formation timelines of other planets, including Saturn. By analyzing chondrules of varying ages present in meteorites, scientists can now gain deeper insights into the birth order of planets within our solar system and potentially across the galaxy. This method leverages the preserved records within meteorites to unlock secrets about planetary system evolution.

Further insights from the research indicate that similar violent collision events, driven by planetary formation, may be common occurrences around other stars, suggesting that the processes shaping our solar system are not unique. The study's findings align with previous research suggesting Jupiter's early formation, with some studies indicating its core may have formed within the solar system's first million years, making it the oldest planet.