A recent study sheds light on Jupiter's early characteristics, dating back approximately 3.8 million years after the formation of the solar system's first solids. The findings indicate that Jupiter was significantly larger than it is today and possessed a much more powerful magnetic field.
Scientists estimated Jupiter's original size by analyzing the orbits of its moons, Amalthea and Thebe. Their calculations suggest that Jupiter's radius was about twice its current size, resulting in a volume large enough to contain over 2,000 Earths. Furthermore, the magnetic field was estimated to be 50 times stronger than its present state.
This research offers a crucial reference point for understanding the evolution of the solar system. By providing independent constraints, it helps to overcome traditional uncertainties associated with planetary formation models, offering new insights into the early stages of our solar system's development.