some researchers believe it may have even absorbed other planets), a gas giant of such immense size that it influenced the orbits and development of its neighboring planets. For many years, researchers assumed Jupiter was approximately 4.5 billion years old, forming shortly after our sun’s formation. A recent study published in August 2025 in Scientific Reports has provided a more precise estimation of that age while also suggesting that Jupiter’s narrative is significantly more intricate.
This recent research delves deeper into Jupiter’s formation and presents a revised theory about the circumstances surrounding the planet’s inception. Rather than assuming a straightforward early origin, the results indicate a more intricate process involved in Jupiter’s birth — one that sheds more light on the planet’s age. Central to the study are chondrules: minute, previously molten rock droplets that resemble raindrops and can be found in specific meteorites. Let’s examine this new research and see how it disputes current models, as well as what it implies for our wider comprehension of planetary formation.
