Junk Yard Dog (IMAGE)

U.S. National Science Foundation

Junk Yard Dog

Caption

An artist's rendering of a Jupiter-like planet, the larger of the two planets pictured, orbiting a star outside our solar system. Here in our solar system, Jupiter may act as a "junk yard dog," protecting the Earth from comets, maintaining stability and sustaining life as we know it. New research finds stable solar systems such as ours to be the exception, rather than the rule in the universe.

Credit

Artwork by Lynette Cook

Usage Restrictions

None

License

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