Jupiter, being the largest planet in our solar system, does play a role in shielding the inner solar system, including Earth, from some space debris. However, it's important to note that Jupiter's shielding effect is not due to its orbit but rather its gravitational influence.
Here's how Jupiter helps protect the inner solar system:
Gravitational pull: Jupiter's immense gravity significantly affects the trajectories of nearby objects, including asteroids and comets. Its powerful gravitational pull can act as a gravitational "vacuum cleaner," attracting or diverting potential impactors away from the inner solar system. This phenomenon is known as the "Jupiter effect" or the "Jupiter as a cosmic vacuum cleaner" hypothesis.
Trojan asteroids: Jupiter's strong gravitational influence also creates stable regions known as Lagrange points. These Lagrange points, specifically the leading and trailing Lagrange points of Jupiter's orbit around the Sun, are home to groups of asteroids called Trojan asteroids. These asteroids are essentially "trapped" in the gravitational fields of Jupiter and the Sun, forming elongated triangular regions. By capturing and trapping these asteroids, Jupiter helps prevent them from entering the inner solar system and potentially colliding with Earth.
Deflection of comets: Jupiter's gravity can also deflect or redirect comets that enter the inner solar system. Comets originate from the distant regions of the solar system, such as the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud. If a comet's trajectory brings it close to Jupiter, the planet's gravity can alter its path, sending it on a different course that avoids the inner solar system.
While Jupiter's influence helps shield the inner solar system from some space debris, it is not a foolproof defense against all potential impactors. Some objects may still bypass Jupiter's gravitational influence or have trajectories that take them closer to Earth. Therefore, additional efforts such as dedicated telescopic surveys and space missions are undertaken to identify and track near-Earth objects (NEOs) and develop potential mitigation strategies if necessary.