Hello, all. New poster here. Seems you guys are a pretty smart bunch so I wanted to ask a few questions.

I'm a writer. My writing group is experimenting with writing in genres we don't normally pursue. I've decided to try my hand at a little science fiction.

I'm working with a concept along the lines of all the conspiracy theories going around a bit back about Galileo creating a nuclear explosion when it crashed into Jupiter. Now, we all know that this cannot really happen, but after all, this is fiction, and one of my issues as a writer is overcoming my "reality handicap."

So ... my questions for any who'd like to offer up an answer, a thought, a link, whatever ...

1) Jupiter's mass, composition, etc as is prevents it from sustaining a nuclear reaction. But, in the realm of fiction, is there anything that could be thrown in to make it more believable that this could happen? (something we didn't know existed in Jupiter's atmosphere, a vastly different core temperature than we suspected, etc.) What possibilities might one use to explain how this could happen even though it defies reality?

**Also, any links anyone knows of to the most outlandish, armageddonish ideas about what effect Jupiter exploding could have on earth would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking for all here, even really woowoo theories.

2) Jupiter's radiation belt. (Keep in mind, I know next to nada about astronomy.) What would be the effects on astronauts if they went on a space walk in orbit around Jupiter? Would there be lingering radiation effects? Would they be "cooked" instantly? Would there be any issues at all? Would it be impossible?

3) Say you've got a space shuttle on a deep space mission (Jupiter, etc). All communication is lost with earth through some sort of damage. Is there any way NASA would be able to tell that the shuttle still exists? Or would they have no way of knowing whether it's been destroyed without hearing from the astronauts?

Guess those are my basic questions for now. Go ahead and laugh. I know they're pretty moronic to those more in the know, but ... whatever. Also, mods, if this is better suited to another forum, please feel free to move it.

Cheers.
Linnie