Could Jupiter collect enough matter to initiate fusion and become a star?

Scientists say it would need to increase in mass by 1300 times to start glowing from nuclear fusion, the increased pressure from gravity raising the core temperature to the ignition point for the hydrogen fusion reaction to occur.

The sun (Sol) and Jupiter would become a binary star system.

Where might this matter come from and could Jupiter capture it?

Matter is scattered throughout the universe. Empty space isn’t really devoid of all material. Huge nebulous clouds exist and are the source of new star systems. If a small cloud by chance drifted across Jupiter’s orbit, the planet would likely vacuum the mass into itself, adding to its size until it became a new star. This would likely take a long time — millions or billions of years.

How would it affect Earth?

Such a large increase in mass would make significant changes to Earth’s orbit for a start. Its orbit might become a figure eight around Sol and Jupiter or some kind of weird orbit around both suns. The change could even eject Earth from our solar system entirely to wander the universe as a rogue plant for eternity.

Our sky would change with two suns wandering across it in a dancing procession from day to day.

The habitable zone in our solar system would change too. Mars might become inhabitable again.

Could a separate habitable zone come into existence around Jupiter, with Jupiter’s moons engulfed in it, making them habitable, maybe with a bit of terraforming?

Should we be worried? Maybe, not. I don’t see it happening soon, if ever. But, still…