Jupiter's orbit became more flattened — or 'eccentric' — it caused major changes in our planet's orbit as well
The change caused by Jupiter's orbit — the solar system's most massive planet by far — could improve Earth's ability to support life
If Jupiter's position remained constant but the shape of its orbit changed
Orbits move closer and farther away from their stars at different points in their orbit
Proximity to a star determines how much radiation it receives and how it is hearted, which affects the climate of a planet
Jupiter's orbit became more eccentric, the team discovered that Earth's orbit would also become more eccentric
Reaching temperatures in the habitable range — defined as 32 to 212 degrees
Fahrenheit (0 to 100 degrees Celsius) — for Earth's diverse range of lifeforms
The researchers believe their findings will aid astronomers in determining which planets beyond our solar system
The fact that a planet's distance from its star, as well as its variation, determines how much radiation different parts of it receive