Jupiter, our supposed "cosmic bodyguard," had ONE job - deflecting asteroids and protecting inner planets. But 4 billion years ago? That massive gas giant was just sitting there, watching chaos unfold like it was binging a disaster movie marathon.
The Late Heavy Bombardment period was basically Jupiter saying "not my problem" while Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars got absolutely pummeled by space rocks. Some protector! The cosmic equivalent of a security guard taking a nap during a robbery.