Jupiter - Earth's Best Friend

Went to Jupiter to get more stupider! 

Please tell me I'm not the only one who remembers that silly rhyme from my childhood. I believe it is a line from a jump rope or hand clapping song.  Like Miss Mary Mac or Miss Suzie.   

But, back to Jupiter.  Discovery's How the Universe Works documentary on the beginning of creation has an episode about planets.  Naturally, they mention earth a few times, but they also spent a lengthy time (in T.V. land) discussing Jupiter.  Jupiter?  Who even thinks about Jupiter?  Not me.  Except when lyrics from my past creep into my head.

Jupiter

Jupiter can be described as our solar system's body guard who has a really big baseball bat.  Because it is so large, Jupiter's gravitational pull is large.  The larger a star or planet is, the greater amount of gravity they possess.  And Jupiter is huge.  Were you to combine all the other planets in our little neighborhood, Jupiter's mass is still two and a half times bigger.  And it's not even a solid planet like earth.  It's just gas.  That's a lot of gas.  And a LOT of gravity.

But "lucky" for us, nature knew what she was doing.  Scratch that.  God knew what he was doing when He designed creation.  By providing Jupiter to our solar system, with all of its mighty gravity, it truly is a baseball bat.  Jupiter's gravity pulls in comets that would otherwise head straight for Earth or other planets.  In case you were wondering, being struck by a large comet would not be a good day for we earthlings.  Yikes.  I think of Jupiter a lot now.  A lot. 

Jupiter also "happens" to be positioned in the inner part of our solar system where its placement (and baseball bat) would benefit all the planets.  That is just so "convenient".

I have nothing against science, the pursuit of knowledge, or education.  I'm all for it.  However, I think people need to stop and listen to themselves.  The scientists on the show repeatedly, in amazement, described how everything that contributes to life on Earth is in just the right place.  The precise distance Earth is from the Sun.  The placement of Jupiter and its fierce gravity.  The Earth's unique magnetic field that deflects solar wind.  Each and every scientist was in awe of these delicate balances, but none of them even hinted at the possibility of a Master Designer.   That just boggles my mind.

It is so apparent.  It is so obvious.  God created the heavens and the earth.  He thought of everything.  Now I can't stop thinking about Jupiter. 

Until next time.