Our solar system might have become a double star system if Jupiter had been formed with enough mass to undergo nuclear fusion. Approximately what percent of the Sun's mass would Jupiter have needed for this to happen? (The mass of the Sun is 2.0 × 10³⁰ kg.)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jupiter would need to be about 8% the mass of the Sun to undergo nuclear fusion and potentially become a star. This threshold is based on the minimum mass required for an object to sustain hydrogen fusion at its core, which is roughly 0.08 solar masses or 8% of the Sun's mass.

Our Solar System Might Have Become a Double Star System