Jupiter may have destroyed several 'super-Earths' a long time ago

PASADENA, Calif., March 23 (UPI) -- New research suggests that before Earth was around there may have been several "super-Earths" that were destroyed by Jupiter.

The researchers were attempting to discover why the solar system is the way it is, including why many planets have low masses, as compared to solar systems elsewhere in the galaxy. They believe several "super-Earths," or planets somewhat larger than Earth, may have previously existed.

"Our work suggests that Jupiter's inward-outward migration could have destroyed a first generation of planets and set the stage for the formation of the mass-depleted terrestrial planets that our solar system has today," said Konstantin Batygin, an assistant professor of planetary science at Caltech. "All of this fits beautifully with other recent developments in understanding how the solar system evolved, while filling in some gaps."

The researchers claim many solar systems have more planets with large masses, and Earth's solar system is somewhat odd. Jupiter having destroyed other smaller planets as it drifted away from the Sun could be the explanation. The researchers claim many of the broken planets could have drifted into the Sun.

The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.