Thought experiment: fire the Deathstar's superlaser at Jupiter?

Question

What would happen? Since jupiter is more than 90% hydrogen, would there be enough energy to start a fusion chain reaction? What about the dense metallic hydrogen core?

The author of this website calculates that the energy released by the deathstar is roughly 1e38 joules--or as much energy as the sun puts out in 7,000 years.

http://www.stardestroyer.net/Empire/Tech/Beam/Beam2.html

Given this absurd amount of energy, what do you think would happen to Jupiter?

P.S: Yes, I know the deathstar is a science-fiction plot device and nothing more. But I thought this would be an interesting scientific thought experiment nonetheless. ;-)

Answer 1

Jupiter would flare up dramatically then vaporize. Overkill.

Answer 2

It would look SOOOOOO cool. Like the best fireworks show EVER.

On the downside if we were to destroy it (jupiter), it would open up the asteroid belt to Earth and we would probably be destroyed by an asteroid.

Answer 3

well, jupiter could kiss its *** goodbye! but a laser like that would surely continue in its path? it's probably hit a few other planets too.

Answer 4

Jupiter would nova?  WAKE UP!!  Planets can't nova.  Where do these people get this c**p?  And then they spread it like it is reality?  Sheesh!

Answer 5

have you read the 2010 book. that is what would happen.

Jupiter would nova.

Edit: To B.'s  comment it has all the supplies for fission. It has been theorized that if Jupiter was bigger and had more mass it could have turned into a star.