Theos-Talk Archives (July 1995 Message tl00060)

Brenda, I forwarded your query to my partner, David S.  Cargo,
and he responded thusly:

"If Jupiter could burn, it would have already happened.  The
comet did generate a lot of heat, but it couldn't ignite what was
already there.  It also would not have been able to ignite a
fusion reaction turning Jupiter into a temporary star.  Jupiter
isn't dense enough for that.  Jupiter's gases are flammable, but
only with oxygen, which doesn't exist in significant quantity in
Jupiter's atmosphere.

"Even if Jupiter burned (or fused) the gravity that controls the
planets' orbits would not have been affected; orbits would not
have changed."

Peace to all...
Judy