The way the complicated orbital mechanics work, there is a “gate” which is the only place where asteroids/comets/whatever can cross Jupiter’s orbit. This doesn’t usually result in them hitting Jupiter, but it does limit their options for hitting Earth.
Been a while since I watched the video, so I don’t remember all the details, but that should be the basic gist.
![Running interference [Safely Endangered]](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/e44d33c7-f989-404a-beda-7b18949d9fe7.jpeg){kind=link}
It’s way more complicated than that:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zu41rrc_Ng
The way the complicated orbital mechanics work, there is a “gate” which is the only place where asteroids/comets/whatever can cross Jupiter’s orbit. This doesn’t usually result in them hitting Jupiter, but it does limit their options for hitting Earth.
Been a while since I watched the video, so I don’t remember all the details, but that should be the basic gist.