Why do they consider Jupiter a planet when as far as we know it cant sustain life?

Question

Why do they consider Jupiter a planet when its basically hydrogen, helium, andother chemicals....as far as we know it can't sustain life...why even consider it a planet then? Doesn't a planet sustain life?

Answer 1

A planet does not have to support life to be a planet. The word "Planet" does not mean "sustains life". It means "a large body of rock OR gas/helium that orbits a star in a solar system".

Answer 2

The Internation Astronomical Union (IAU) which is the only organization that can *officially* set the defintions of what constitutes a planet, Jupiter meets all the requirements.

According to the IAU a planet is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

Notice that there's no requirement for life to exist on a planet.

Answer 3

The definition of planet has nothing at all to do with whether or not it can or does sustain life.

Answer 4

I don't think so.. A planet orbits a star (the sun) and does not have to sustain life to be a planet. Poor Pluto..... It orbits our sun but was just to darn small to be called a planet..

Answer 5

Agree with innocent victim.

Add that life tends to find a way to survive in seemingly impossible ways.  A few decades ago science was convinced that life on our planet did not exist on the bottom of our deepests seas, inside volcanic heated water vents, and within rock itself.  Proof reversed

science.  Expanding science is thus ever wrote, not rote, so do not

rule out Jupiter just yet.  Life which forever rides the swirling storms

has been previously speculated upon in popular writings not found in Sunday School.  

Answer 6

Whoever said a planet had to be able to sustain life?  The official criteria for a Planet, as stated by the International Astronomical Union, are: a planet is a body that orbits the Sun, is large enough for its own gravity to make it round, and has "cleared its neighbourhood" of smaller objects.

No mention of being able to sustain life.

.

Answer 7

You think planets have to sustain life in order to be planets? Do you even read scientific journals if not even search it on Google? Planets are PLANETS, life or not.

Answer 8

No, planets don't have to sustain life. In fact, Earth is the only one that does. A planet is a large body that orbits the Sun. It's got nothing to do with life.