[RightWhale]

Asteroid blocking volume

I think I see where you are with this.

Jupiter's influence is gravitational. It doesn't physically shield the inner solar system with its bulk, but works through its immense gravity field. The effect is that of a guide: it sweeps most loose rocks of all sizes into orbits that stay outside the inner solar system, where we are. The amount of loose rock coming near earth is almost zero, excepting the one that just missed us yesterday. Without Jupiter, rocks would be flying every direction and earth would would be pounded into rubble on a regular basis. If Jupiter were even bigger, superjovian, 4 times to 10 times more massive, it wouldn't allow even earth to exist, it would sweep that up, too.

[FreeReign]

Jupiter's influence is gravitational

Super-jovian Thanks!

[MHGinTN]

Yeah, a Jovian protector. But did I tell you the one about how life may exist beyond the limitations of our spacetime sequestered senses ... as in beyond our temporal limits or spatial limitations? It's a fun thought; just read the Book of Daniel and meet a being that reached from one dimensional complexity level beyond the King of Babylon, down into the king's party chamber, to rock his world!

[jennyp]

If Jupiter were even bigger, superjovian, 4 times to 10 times more massive, it wouldn't allow even earth to exist, it would sweep that up, too.

Ah, assuming it was in the same orbit as Real Jupiter, right? If its orbit was farther away, we could get by with a bigger Jupiter than that, right?