Space Debris Flashcards
1
Q
Asteroids
A
-mostly small
-eccentric orbits
-mostly between Mars and Jupiter
2
Q
Kirkwood gaps
A
3
Q
Cassini division
A
4
Q
Orbital resonance
A
5
Q
Types of Asteroids
A
C-type, S-type
6
Q
What are the most ancient objects in the solar system
A
C-type asteroids
7
Q
C-type
A
- 75%
- carbonaceous
- most ancient
- have fallen to earth (radioactive dating)
- OUTER part of asteroid belt
(lower temp)
8
Q
S-type
A
-17%
- stony/rocky
- INNER part of solar system
(higher temp)
9
Q
M-type
A
- 8%
- metallic
swords and shit!
10
Q
What is unique about pluto’s orbit?
A
- eccentric and inclined to the plane of the ecliptic
- crosses the orbit of neptune
11
Q
What prevents neptune and pluto from coming close to each other?
A
3:2 resonance
12
Q
Why is pluto no longer considered a planet?
A
It does not clear it’s orbit of other debris. Not a big gun.
13
Q
How many meteors can be seen on an average dark night
A
A few every hour
14
Q
What causes the flash of meteors?
A
heating/heat trail
15
Q
Meteoroid vs. meteorite
A
Meteorite reaches the surface of the eartth
