Could the earth have done without the other solar system planets?

Answer 1

probably, because all we need is the moon and the sun to live, the earth is in a perfect range from the sun, so perfect that, if we were a little bit further or closer to the sun, our whole ecosystem would be different(i think). I don't know about this, but if the gravitational pull of other planets affected earth to be what it is now, I guess it's a no.

Answer 2

The outer planets act as a defense system for all the debris from the early solar system - much of it has been cleared out by now or arranged into relatively stable patterns.

The moon (not a planet) influences tides which are useful for life to exist.

Between the two, if the question is whether life on Earth could exist, the answer is that the probability would be significantly reduced to the point that its not statistically possible.

On the other hand, Earth would probably do just fine without life on it so regardless of the outer planets and the moon, the Earth would likely still be here, even if we weren't here to ask such questions.

Answer 3

Yes, the earth would have formed without the help of other planets...but it would be a much different place than the terra firma we're familiar with.

As much as we know, planetary formation seems to take place almost as soon as stars are born (sometimes taking as little as 10 million years). Planetary formation relies on the raw building blocks in the solar disk.

Our planet has been shaped indirectly by the other planets (and directly in a collision with a protoplanet, which left us with our moon). Jupiter and the outer planets have absorbed or thrown out potentially destructive asteroids that could have reached our planet, but also by diverting comets rich in water and organics they are responsible for our planet for having oceans.

Had Earth not had any interactions, it more than likely would have been smaller and rocky, or could have turned into a "hot Jupiter" had there been enouth mass to go around.

Answer 4

well am not sure about all of them but the earth would be gone without Jupiter. This is because Jupiter cleans up the solar system for us. Jupiter is the kind of super giant planet that a planet like earth needs in its solar system. Jupiter protects us because it attracts comets and meteors to itself instead of letting it free around the solar system where it can hit us.

Jupiter is so important that astronomers say that without it, the earth would be long gone.

Answer 5

If the earth needed any of the other planets in the past it would be Jupiter. We're not clear on why the earth formed at the distance it did from the sun, but it could have been caused by a resonance effect from Jupiter, which is so big that its gravity will effect the earth over millions of years.

I don't think the other planets have any effect on earth.

Answer 6

Hi. Probably, but something BIG had to hit Earth to make the Moon (which caused the tides and make the sea creatures adapt to an atmosphere). Jupiter probably took a lot of comet hits and spared Earth from a more thorough bombardment.

Answer 7

every object exerts a force upon every other object, therefore the earth would likely be very different and may have never formed...especially due to the influence of Jupiter

Answer 8

i don't think so. the position of the earth's orbit is influenced by the gravity and orbital positions of the other planets..if earth weren't exactly where it is we'd either be toast or icicles..

Answer 9

no, for it would collide with the sun due to the absence of other forces

Answer 10

no not at all