Saw it on Star trekk
2007-04-10 05:44:35 · 8 answers · asked by jlsmt666 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
If the mass was great enough, yes the collision of two gas giants would eventually create a star, but it would not be just Boom! Ignition.
It would be a slow, and long drawn out process, millions or billions of years. The two bodies, having a greater mass than they did as indiviual bodies, would now have a greater gravitational pull, and would gradually draw in more matter, creating a stronger gravitational field, drawing in more matter. At some point, there would be enough mass and matter for ignition, provided there was enough hydrogen.
2007-04-10 08:37:36 · answer #1 · answered by coindude49801 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. A gas giant, like Jupiter, does not have enough mass to become a star. Jupiter would have to be 70 times more massive to be close to being a star. So Jupiter + Jupiter = a slightly bigger gas giant.
Gas giants that are way more massive than Jupiter are also called brown dwarfs. Brown dwarfs are failed stars that are close to having a stars mass but fall short of a Jupiter or two. Clunk two brown dwarfs together and you´re cooking.
2007-04-10 06:32:41 · answer #2 · answered by DrAnders_pHd 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be an elastic collision. The energy diffential of the planets would be manifested as another body and attendant velocity. This is what happened to the Earth and the moon was born.
Depending on the mass of the larger body, it would be possible for a sun to be born. Also how far away and the relative life span of the new satellite would depend on how massive the new star was.
2007-04-10 06:49:37 · answer #3 · answered by Sophist 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in theory it is possible but until we accutualy see such an event or the after math of such an event it will stay theoratical but yes its a very strong possiblity
if jupeter was a little bigger it would had turned into a small star according to astronemers from nasa ( sorry for any typos for some reason my spelling checking thingy is freaking out)
2007-04-10 05:52:43 · answer #4 · answered by tarek c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They would have to be very very large. The smallest (very dim) brown dwarf we have found is 200 times the mass of Jupiter. It will not happen in our solar system.
2007-04-10 05:51:03 · answer #5 · answered by Gene 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's plausible, however unlikely...since both gravitational forces would likely tear both stars apart.
It would depend on the masses of the stars......
2007-04-10 06:12:04 · answer #6 · answered by Charlie Bravo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they would have to be massive. when they fuse together their total mass must be more than 10 times the mass of jupiter.
2007-04-10 06:42:32 · answer #7 · answered by neutron 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure!! Rush Limbaugh + Don Imus=???
2007-04-10 05:51:56 · answer #8 · answered by somathus 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋