The Effects of Jupiter on the Solar System

The influence of jupiter on the history of the planet earth, appears to be pervasive. Gas giants limit the number of rocky planets that form around a star. And then if you don't have any nearby gas giants, young rocky planets are subjected to a much longer period of early bombardment. A study by elisa v quintana, thomas barclay, william j baruke, jason f roe and john e chambers did simulations in different solar system configurations where there was or wasn't a Jupiter present.