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Lecture 13:Lecture 13:Asteroids, Comets, and Pluto-CharonAsteroids, Comets, and Pluto-Charon

Claire MaxNovember 9, 2010

Astro 18: Planets and Planetary SystemsUC Santa Cruz

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This Friday: Logistics for field trip This Friday: Logistics for field trip to Mt Hamiltonto Mt Hamilton

• First check class website to be sure the weather is OKFirst check class website to be sure the weather is OK

• Meet on the plaza right in front of the Music Recital Meet on the plaza right in front of the Music Recital Hall (Performing Arts) at 1:30 pm on Friday, so we can Hall (Performing Arts) at 1:30 pm on Friday, so we can get organized into vans. Park anywhere in the get organized into vans. Park anywhere in the Performing Arts lot.Performing Arts lot.

• We will be leaving at 2pm sharp, because we have to We will be leaving at 2pm sharp, because we have to arrive at Lick Observatory by 4pm.arrive at Lick Observatory by 4pm.

• Bring the following: A warm jacket, flashlight, water, Bring the following: A warm jacket, flashlight, water, food to eat for dinner (picnic style). Might want to bring food to eat for dinner (picnic style). Might want to bring $ for the Gift Shop; camera.$ for the Gift Shop; camera.

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More logistics for FridayMore logistics for Friday

• For those going to Mt Hamilton and attending For those going to Mt Hamilton and attending the Friday section from 12:30-1:30:the Friday section from 12:30-1:30:

• We will end the section promptly at 1:30 (or a We will end the section promptly at 1:30 (or a bit before) and dash down to the Music Center bit before) and dash down to the Music Center to meet the vans.to meet the vans.

• Please bring everything you need for the trip to Please bring everything you need for the trip to the section mtg: jacket, flashlight, dinner, cash the section mtg: jacket, flashlight, dinner, cash (camera)(camera)

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More about Mt Hamilton tripMore about Mt Hamilton trip

• Forms to sign during break todayForms to sign during break today

– Everyone: sign waiver formEveryone: sign waiver form– All drivers: sign driver formAll drivers: sign driver form

• I need someone to drive a van to the base of Mt I need someone to drive a van to the base of Mt Hamilton. I will lead in my own car, park my car Hamilton. I will lead in my own car, park my car at the bottom of the mountain, and drive the at the bottom of the mountain, and drive the van up the mountain road. The driving to the van up the mountain road. The driving to the base from here is easy.base from here is easy.

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San Jose and Mt Hamilton RoadSan Jose and Mt Hamilton Road

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Mt Hamilton Webcam from Mt Hamilton Webcam from yesterdayyesterday

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Project and Homework ScheduleProject and Homework Schedule

• Friday Nov 12Friday Nov 12thth: : – Write up references you are planning on using for your paper, using proper Write up references you are planning on using for your paper, using proper

citation techniques. Write up a short summary of each resource and what citation techniques. Write up a short summary of each resource and what information you are getting from it. Let us know if you think are still missing information you are getting from it. Let us know if you think are still missing resources that you will need for your project paper.resources that you will need for your project paper.

• Next Tues Nov 16: Next Tues Nov 16: – Homework assignment on Jovian Planets, satellites, atmospheres Homework assignment on Jovian Planets, satellites, atmospheres

(quantitative)(quantitative)– Projects: Type out short answers to the questions you originally posed. Projects: Type out short answers to the questions you originally posed.

Comment on any additional / interesting information you may have stumbled Comment on any additional / interesting information you may have stumbled across while researching the original queries.across while researching the original queries.

• Thurs Nov 18Thurs Nov 18thth

– Projects: Each person in the group should write out a detailed outline of their Projects: Each person in the group should write out a detailed outline of their part of the paper. These outlines should then be merged into an outline of your part of the paper. These outlines should then be merged into an outline of your entire group's paper.entire group's paper.

• Tuesday Nov 23Tuesday Nov 23rdrd

– Homework on Life in the Universe (qualitative)First draft of your Project Paper Homework on Life in the Universe (qualitative)First draft of your Project Paper is due so that Jenn and Claire can make suggestions over Thanksgiving breakis due so that Jenn and Claire can make suggestions over Thanksgiving break

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Outline of lectureOutline of lecture

• Overall significance of comets and asteroids Overall significance of comets and asteroids

• AsteroidsAsteroids

• Pluto and CharonPluto and Charon– The great “Planet Debate”The great “Planet Debate”– Two asteroids who went astray?Two asteroids who went astray?

• CometsComets

Please remind me to take a break at 12:45 pm

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First, some definitionsFirst, some definitions

• AsteroidAsteroid: a : a rockyrocky leftover planetesimal orbiting the Sun leftover planetesimal orbiting the Sun

• CometComet: an : an icyicy leftover planetesimal orbiting the Sun leftover planetesimal orbiting the Sun (regardless of whether it has a tail!)(regardless of whether it has a tail!)

• MeteorMeteor: a flash of light in the sky caused by a particle : a flash of light in the sky caused by a particle or chunk of rock entering the atmosphere. May come or chunk of rock entering the atmosphere. May come from comet or asteroid.from comet or asteroid.

• MeteoriteMeteorite: any piece of rock that fell to the ground from : any piece of rock that fell to the ground from space, whether from an asteroid, comet, or even from space, whether from an asteroid, comet, or even from another planetanother planet

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The Main PointsThe Main Points

• Asteroids and comets are leftovers Asteroids and comets are leftovers from the early Solar Systemfrom the early Solar System

– Studying them can tell us about Solar Studying them can tell us about Solar System originsSystem origins

• AsteroidsAsteroids– Failed planetesimals in outer Solar Failed planetesimals in outer Solar SystemSystem

– Most have fairly circular orbitsMost have fairly circular orbits

– Life stories dominated by collisions, Life stories dominated by collisions, orbital perturbations by Jupiterorbital perturbations by Jupiter

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Main Points, continuedMain Points, continued

• CometsComets– ““Dirty snowballs” - rock and iceDirty snowballs” - rock and ice– Highly elliptical orbitsHighly elliptical orbits– Develop tail when near SunDevelop tail when near Sun– Observe comets in Kuiper belt, infer Oort Observe comets in Kuiper belt, infer Oort Cloud of comets beyond Pluto’s orbitCloud of comets beyond Pluto’s orbit

• Pluto and CharonPluto and Charon– Many characteristics in common with Many characteristics in common with asteroids in the Kuiper Beltasteroids in the Kuiper Belt

– Main unusual characteristic: it’s a bit Main unusual characteristic: it’s a bit bigger than other Kuiper Belt objects bigger than other Kuiper Belt objects

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Significance of comets and asteroidsSignificance of comets and asteroids

• Possible future collisions with EarthPossible future collisions with Earth– We will discuss this in a future lectureWe will discuss this in a future lecture

• Understanding the Solar System’s originsUnderstanding the Solar System’s origins– Both asteroids and comets are left over from the Both asteroids and comets are left over from the

birth of the Solar Systembirth of the Solar System– Bodies that never coalesced into planetsBodies that never coalesced into planets– Many remain virtually unchanged from 4.5 billion Many remain virtually unchanged from 4.5 billion

years agoyears ago– Most of our modern theories of Solar System Most of our modern theories of Solar System

formation were developed based on evidence from formation were developed based on evidence from asteroids and cometsasteroids and comets

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Asteroids as seen from EarthAsteroids as seen from Earth

Vesta (525 km)Keck Tel. Adaptive Optics.

Movie in spectral line of pyroxene.

A piece of Vesta landed on Earth as a meteorite!

Made almost entirely of pyroxene.

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Some asteroids photographed by Some asteroids photographed by spacecraft (up close)spacecraft (up close)

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Asteroids as seen from spaceAsteroids as seen from space

• NEAR spacecraft NEAR spacecraft orbited asteroid orbited asteroid Eros, then Eros, then landed on it!landed on it!

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Asteroids as seen from spaceAsteroids as seen from space

• NEAR spacecraft orbited asteroid Eros, then NEAR spacecraft orbited asteroid Eros, then landed on it!landed on it!

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Asteroid ToutatisAsteroid Toutatis

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Naming asteroidsNaming asteroids

• Discoverer has privilege of suggesting name to a Discoverer has privilege of suggesting name to a committee of International Astronomical Union.committee of International Astronomical Union.

• Contrary to recent media reports it is not possible to Contrary to recent media reports it is not possible to buy a minor planet. buy a minor planet.

• Number before name is order in which asteroid was Number before name is order in which asteroid was discovereddiscovered

• Rock stars are well represented! Rock stars are well represented! http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/special/rocknroll/RockAndRoll.html

• Photo Gallery of the asteroidsPhoto Gallery of the asteroidshttp://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/photogallery-asteroids.html

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The asteroid beltThe asteroid belt

• Between orbits of Mars Between orbits of Mars and Jupiterand Jupiter

• ““Should” be a planet thereShould” be a planet there

• But Jupiter’s gravitational But Jupiter’s gravitational perturbations probably perturbations probably prevented coalescence prevented coalescence into a planetinto a planet

Cartoon

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The asteroid belt: actual positionsThe asteroid belt: actual positions

Trojan asteroids

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Diagram of Trojan asteroid Diagram of Trojan asteroid positionspositions

• Same distance from Same distance from Sun as Jupiter, but 60 Sun as Jupiter, but 60 deg ahead or behinddeg ahead or behind

• Any asteroid that Any asteroid that wanders away from one wanders away from one of the these two areas of the these two areas is nudged back by is nudged back by Jupiter’s gravityJupiter’s gravity

• Only a fraction of the Only a fraction of the Trojan asteroids have Trojan asteroids have been discovered yet - been discovered yet - very far away!very far away!

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Orbital resonances with Jupiter play role Orbital resonances with Jupiter play role in structure of asteroid beltin structure of asteroid belt

Orbital period of

asteroid = orbital period of Jupiter

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More detailed view: gaps due to More detailed view: gaps due to orbital resonancesorbital resonances

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Physics of orbital resonancesPhysics of orbital resonances

• Orbital resonance:Orbital resonance:– Whenever one object’s orbital period is a simple Whenever one object’s orbital period is a simple

ratio of another object’s orbital periodratio of another object’s orbital period

• For asteroids, Jupiter is the “other object”For asteroids, Jupiter is the “other object”

• At an orbital resonance, the asteroid and At an orbital resonance, the asteroid and Jupiter periodically line up with each otherJupiter periodically line up with each other– The extra gravitational attraction makes small The extra gravitational attraction makes small

changes to the asteroid’s orbit over and over againchanges to the asteroid’s orbit over and over again– Eventual result is to “nudge” asteroid out of Eventual result is to “nudge” asteroid out of

resonant position, form gapresonant position, form gap

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Orbital resonances: a resonant system Orbital resonances: a resonant system forced at its natural frequencyforced at its natural frequency

• Like pushing a pendulum in Like pushing a pendulum in time with its natural swingtime with its natural swing

• A small push, repeated many A small push, repeated many times, can add a lot of energy times, can add a lot of energy to the pendulumto the pendulum

• In case of asteroid, pushes In case of asteroid, pushes change its orbit until it is no change its orbit until it is no longer resonant with Jupiterlonger resonant with Jupiter

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How did asteroid belt get there in How did asteroid belt get there in the first place?the first place?

• Current asteroid belt has total mass 5 x 10Current asteroid belt has total mass 5 x 10-4-4 x mass of Earth x mass of Earth

• Several lines of evidence suggest that the original asteroid Several lines of evidence suggest that the original asteroid belt was belt was 100 - 1000 times more massive100 - 1000 times more massive

• But once Jupiter fully formed (after ~ 10 million years), its But once Jupiter fully formed (after ~ 10 million years), its gravity strongly perturbed the orbits of almost all the asteroidsgravity strongly perturbed the orbits of almost all the asteroids

• Most of them got nudged into highly eccentric orbits, from Most of them got nudged into highly eccentric orbits, from which they either leave the Solar System or head inwards which they either leave the Solar System or head inwards toward the Suntoward the Sun

• A fraction of the asteroids headed inwards may have hit the A fraction of the asteroids headed inwards may have hit the early Earth!early Earth!

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Asteroids are quite far apartAsteroids are quite far apart (not like in Star Wars) (not like in Star Wars)

• About 100,000 asteroids larger than 1 kmAbout 100,000 asteroids larger than 1 km

• Not much mass: if gathered in a sphere, they would Not much mass: if gathered in a sphere, they would make a body less than 1000 km in diametermake a body less than 1000 km in diameter

• Mean distance between asteroids is Mean distance between asteroids is several million km!several million km!

• If you were on an asteroid and looked up, you would If you were on an asteroid and looked up, you would see at most one other asteroid with your naked eyesee at most one other asteroid with your naked eye

• Bennett estimates there is ONE major collision in the Bennett estimates there is ONE major collision in the asteroid belt every 100,000 yearsasteroid belt every 100,000 years

• David Morrision estimates that an average 1-km David Morrision estimates that an average 1-km asteroid suffers ~2 collisions in life of Solar Systemasteroid suffers ~2 collisions in life of Solar System

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How do we study asteroids?How do we study asteroids?

• Detection: streaks on time-Detection: streaks on time-exposed imagesexposed images

• Spacecraft: directly Spacecraft: directly measure size, shape, etc measure size, shape, etc (only a handfull of (only a handfull of asteroids so far)asteroids so far)

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Finding asteroids: they move fast Finding asteroids: they move fast with respect to the starswith respect to the stars

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Studying asteroids, continuedStudying asteroids, continued

• Can bounce radar off asteroid, receive back at Can bounce radar off asteroid, receive back at Earth. Measures speed, shape.Earth. Measures speed, shape.

• Example: KleopatraExample: Kleopatra

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Asteroid Toutatis: shape and Asteroid Toutatis: shape and rotation from radar imageryrotation from radar imagery

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We have imaged a few asteroids We have imaged a few asteroids from spacefrom space

• Asteroid Itokawa (from a Japanese spacecraft)

Source: E. Asphaug, Scientific American

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ConcepTestConcepTest

• We've seen that many asteroids look like lumpy We've seen that many asteroids look like lumpy potatoes (very irregular shapes). potatoes (very irregular shapes).

• But some, such as Vesta, are pretty round.But some, such as Vesta, are pretty round.

• What physical properties could cause some What physical properties could cause some asteroids to be lumpy and some to be round?asteroids to be lumpy and some to be round?

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Asteroid categories and Asteroid categories and characteristicscharacteristics

• Can categorize asteroids by albedo (reflectance)Can categorize asteroids by albedo (reflectance)

– Dark (low reflectance): C (carbon)Dark (low reflectance): C (carbon)– Medium reflectance: M (metallic)Medium reflectance: M (metallic)– High reflectance: S (silicates, rock)High reflectance: S (silicates, rock)– Meteorites hitting Earth have same categories!Meteorites hitting Earth have same categories!

• Categories correlate with distance from SunCategories correlate with distance from Sun

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Binary asteroids give unique Binary asteroids give unique informationinformation

• Period of companion Period of companion mass of primary mass of primary

• Size of primary + mass Size of primary + mass avg density of primary avg density of primary

• Addresses important question: are asteroids “solid”, or Addresses important question: are asteroids “solid”, or are they “rubble piles” ?are they “rubble piles” ?

• About 30 asteroids are known to have companionsAbout 30 asteroids are known to have companions

Ida

Dactyl

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The few asteroid binaries analyzed The few asteroid binaries analyzed so far are not very denseso far are not very dense

• Example: EugeniaExample: Eugenia

– Made of carbonaceous Made of carbonaceous material, should have high material, should have high densitydensity

– Yet measured density is Yet measured density is only a bit higher than that only a bit higher than that of water!of water!

– Conclusion: Eugenia is a Conclusion: Eugenia is a loosely bound pile of loosely bound pile of individual pieces, with individual pieces, with cracks (“voids”) in cracks (“voids”) in betweenbetween

The life story of an asteroid?The life story of an asteroid?Source: E. Asphaug, Scientific American

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Asteroids: solid bodies vs. rubble Asteroids: solid bodies vs. rubble piles?piles?

Mathilde: solid Itokawa: rubble pile

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Computer simulation of asteroid-Computer simulation of asteroid-asteroid collision (E. Asphaug)asteroid collision (E. Asphaug)

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Is this an asteroid-asteroid Is this an asteroid-asteroid collision?collision?

Direction of Solar Wind

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Tidal formation of binary asteroids?Tidal formation of binary asteroids?

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Differentiation in asteroidsDifferentiation in asteroids

• Most asteroids were not heated beyond stage a)Most asteroids were not heated beyond stage a)

• Vesta reached stage b)Vesta reached stage b)

• M and S type asteroids c) (M = metal)M and S type asteroids c) (M = metal)

Primitive, undifferentiated

Iron separates, sinks. Core forms.

Collisions expose iron core

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Near Earth Asteroids: perturbed out Near Earth Asteroids: perturbed out of asteroid belt by Jupiterof asteroid belt by Jupiter

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Pluto: Not Alone Any MorePluto: Not Alone Any More

Goals for learning:Goals for learning:

• How big can a comet be?How big can a comet be?

• What are the large objects of the Kuiper belt What are the large objects of the Kuiper belt like?like?

• Are Pluto and Eris planets?Are Pluto and Eris planets?

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Pluto is not alonePluto is not alone

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Pluto and Charon: orbit is elliptical, Pluto and Charon: orbit is elliptical, out of plane of rest of Solar Systemout of plane of rest of Solar System

• Pluto wasn't discovered till 1930!Pluto wasn't discovered till 1930!

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Pluto and CharonPluto and Charon

• Pluto's avg density ~ 2 g/ cmPluto's avg density ~ 2 g/ cm33..– Pluto is 50% to 75% rock mixed with ices.Pluto is 50% to 75% rock mixed with ices.

• Charon's density is ~1.6 g/cmCharon's density is ~1.6 g/cm33, indicating it contains , indicating it contains little rock. little rock.

• Differences in density tell us that Pluto and Charon Differences in density tell us that Pluto and Charon formed independentlyformed independently

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Pluto has an atmosphere Pluto has an atmosphere (sometimes)(sometimes)

• Pluto's icy surface: Pluto's icy surface:

– 98% nitrogen (N98% nitrogen (N22).).

– Methane (CHMethane (CH44), carbon monoxide (CO), H), carbon monoxide (CO), H22OO

– Solid methane Solid methane Pluto's surface is colder than 70 Kelvin. Pluto's surface is colder than 70 Kelvin.

• Pluto's temperature varies widely during the course of Pluto's temperature varies widely during the course of its orbit since Pluto can be as close to the sun as 30 its orbit since Pluto can be as close to the sun as 30 AU and as far away as 50 AU. AU and as far away as 50 AU.

• Hence is a thin atmosphere that freezes and falls to the Hence is a thin atmosphere that freezes and falls to the surface as the planet moves away from the Sun. surface as the planet moves away from the Sun.

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Is Pluto just the largest Kuiper Belt Is Pluto just the largest Kuiper Belt Object?Object?

• Orbits in same vicinity as Kuiper Belt cometsOrbits in same vicinity as Kuiper Belt comets

• Comet-like compositionComet-like composition

• Stable orbital resonance with Neptune, like many Stable orbital resonance with Neptune, like many cometscomets

• But: Pluto is much more highly reflectiveBut: Pluto is much more highly reflective

– Perhaps ices that sublime when Pluto is closer to Sun stay Perhaps ices that sublime when Pluto is closer to Sun stay with Pluto, and re-freeze on surface, whereas they are lost to with Pluto, and re-freeze on surface, whereas they are lost to less-massive comets.less-massive comets.

• One theory is that Charon was formed from Pluto in One theory is that Charon was formed from Pluto in same way our Moon was formed from Earth mantle same way our Moon was formed from Earth mantle materialmaterial

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NASA missions to Pluto have NASA missions to Pluto have had a checkered historyhad a checkered history

• The only planet that hasn't been explored by a The only planet that hasn't been explored by a spacecraftspacecraft

• Initially planned missions were cancelledInitially planned missions were cancelled

• Latest version: New Horizons Pluto Kuiper Belt Latest version: New Horizons Pluto Kuiper Belt MissionMission– Launched to Pluto by way of Jupiter in January Launched to Pluto by way of Jupiter in January

2006. 2006. – New Horizons passed through the Jupiter system New Horizons passed through the Jupiter system

at 50,000 mph, ending up on a path that will get at 50,000 mph, ending up on a path that will get the spacecraft to Pluto and Charon in July 2015the spacecraft to Pluto and Charon in July 2015

– Then it will explore a Kuiper Belt Object Then it will explore a Kuiper Belt Object

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Hubble’s view of Pluto & its MoonsHubble’s view of Pluto & its Moons

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Hubble’s view of Pluto & its MoonsHubble’s view of Pluto & its Moons

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Other Kuiper Belt ObjectsOther Kuiper Belt Objects

• Most have been discovered very recently so Most have been discovered very recently so little is known about them.little is known about them.

• NASA’s NASA’s New HorizonsNew Horizons mission will study Pluto mission will study Pluto and a few other Kuiper belt object in a planned and a few other Kuiper belt object in a planned flyby.flyby.

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Are Pluto and Eris planets?Are Pluto and Eris planets?

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Is Pluto a Planet?Is Pluto a Planet?

• By far the smallest planet By far the smallest planet – Pluto’s size was overestimated after its discovery in Pluto’s size was overestimated after its discovery in

19301930

• Not a gas giant like other outer planetsNot a gas giant like other outer planets

• Has an icy composition like a cometHas an icy composition like a comet

• Has a very elliptical, inclined orbitHas a very elliptical, inclined orbit

• Pluto has more in common with comets than Pluto has more in common with comets than with the eight major planetswith the eight major planets

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What is a planet?What is a planet?

• International Astronomical Union meeting in International Astronomical Union meeting in Prague in 2006 Prague in 2006

• Agreed that a "planet" is defined as a celestial Agreed that a "planet" is defined as a celestial body that body that

(a) is in orbit around the Sun(a) is in orbit around the Sun

(b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and

(c) has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit. (c) has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.

Slide credit: John Wilson, Georgia State U.

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What is a planet?What is a planet?

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What is Pluto? IAU decision, cont’dWhat is Pluto? IAU decision, cont’d

• Defined new class of objects called "dwarf planets"Defined new class of objects called "dwarf planets"

• ““Planets" and "dwarf planets" are two distinct classes Planets" and "dwarf planets" are two distinct classes

• First members of the "dwarf planet" category are First members of the "dwarf planet" category are Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and ErisCeres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris

• More "dwarf planets" are expected to be announced by More "dwarf planets" are expected to be announced by the IAU in the coming years the IAU in the coming years

– Currently a dozen candidate "dwarf planets" are on IAU's Currently a dozen candidate "dwarf planets" are on IAU's "dwarf planet" watch list"dwarf planet" watch list

– Keeps changing as new objects are foundKeeps changing as new objects are found

• ””Dwarf planet" Pluto is recognized as an important Dwarf planet" Pluto is recognized as an important proto-type of a new class of trans-Neptunian objects proto-type of a new class of trans-Neptunian objects

Slide credit: John Wilson, Georgia State U.

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What have we learned?What have we learned?

• How big can a comet be?How big can a comet be?– The Kuiper belt from which comets come contains The Kuiper belt from which comets come contains

objects as large as Pluto.objects as large as Pluto.

• What are the large objects of the Kuiper belt What are the large objects of the Kuiper belt like?like?

– Large objects in the Kuiper belt have orbits and icy Large objects in the Kuiper belt have orbits and icy compositions like those of comets.compositions like those of comets.

• Are Pluto and Eris planets?Are Pluto and Eris planets?– While the IAU has decided that Pluto and Eris are While the IAU has decided that Pluto and Eris are

“dwarf planets”, the topic is still under some debate. “dwarf planets”, the topic is still under some debate.

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CometsComets

Goals for learning:Goals for learning:

• What are comets like?What are comets like?

• Where do comets come from?Where do comets come from?

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What are comets like?What are comets like?

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Comet FactsComet Facts

• Formed beyond the frost line, comets are icy Formed beyond the frost line, comets are icy counterparts to asteroidscounterparts to asteroids

• Nucleus of comet is a “dirty snowball” (ice with rock)Nucleus of comet is a “dirty snowball” (ice with rock)

• Most comets do not have tailsMost comets do not have tails

• Most comets remain perpetually frozen in the outer Most comets remain perpetually frozen in the outer solar system solar system

• Only comets that enter the inner solar system grow Only comets that enter the inner solar system grow tailstails

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Sun-grazing CometSun-grazing Comet

Sun

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Nucleus of a Comet, from Nucleus of a Comet, from a close-up spacecrafta close-up spacecraft

• A “dirty snowball”A “dirty snowball”

• Source of material Source of material for comet’s tailfor comet’s tail

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Deep Impact Spacecraft sent Deep Impact Spacecraft sent projectile into Comet Tempel 1projectile into Comet Tempel 1

• Mission to study Mission to study nucleus of Comet nucleus of Comet Tempel 1Tempel 1

• Projectile hit surface Projectile hit surface on July 4, 2005on July 4, 2005

• Recorded by the Recorded by the “mother ship”“mother ship”

• Many telescopes Many telescopes from Earth studied from Earth studied aftermath of impactaftermath of impact

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Anatomy of a CometAnatomy of a Comet

• Gas “coma”Gas “coma” is is atmosphere that atmosphere that comes from heated comes from heated nucleusnucleus

• Plasma tailPlasma tail is gas is gas escaping from escaping from coma, pushed by coma, pushed by solar windsolar wind

• Dust tailDust tail is pushed is pushed by photons from the by photons from the SunSun

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Length of comet tail is hugeLength of comet tail is huge

• Tail size many millions Tail size many millions of kmof km

• By comparison, Jupiter By comparison, Jupiter is about 150,000 km in is about 150,000 km in diameterdiameter

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Tail grows as comet comes Tail grows as comet comes closer to Suncloser to Sun

Comets eject small particles that follow the Comets eject small particles that follow the comet around in its orbit and cause meteor comet around in its orbit and cause meteor showers when Earth crosses the comet’s showers when Earth crosses the comet’s orbit.orbit.

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Meteors in a meteor shower appear to Meteors in a meteor shower appear to emanate from the same area of sky because of emanate from the same area of sky because of the Earth’s motion through space.the Earth’s motion through space.

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Where do comets come from?Where do comets come from?

Kuiper belt:On orderly orbits from 30-100 AU in disk of solar system

Oort cloud:On random orbits extending to about 50,000 AU

Very few comets enter inner solar system - most stay far from the Sun

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How did they get there?How did they get there?

• Kuiper belt cometsKuiper belt comets formed in the Kuiper belt: formed in the Kuiper belt: flat plane, aligned with plane of Solar System, flat plane, aligned with plane of Solar System, orbiting in same direction as the planets.orbiting in same direction as the planets.

• Oort cloud cometsOort cloud comets were once closer to the were once closer to the Sun, but they were kicked out there by Sun, but they were kicked out there by gravitational interactions with jovian planets: gravitational interactions with jovian planets: spherical distribution, orbits in any direction.spherical distribution, orbits in any direction.

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The Oort Cloud is almost spherical, The Oort Cloud is almost spherical, beyond orbit of Plutobeyond orbit of Pluto

• In 1950 Jan Oort noticed thatIn 1950 Jan Oort noticed that– no comet orbit observed no comet orbit observed

suggesting it came from suggesting it came from interstellar spaceinterstellar space

– strong tendency for aphelia of strong tendency for aphelia of long period comet orbits to lie at long period comet orbits to lie at distance ~ 50,000 AUdistance ~ 50,000 AU

– there is no preferential direction there is no preferential direction from which comets come.from which comets come.

• He proposed that comets He proposed that comets reside in a vast cloud at the reside in a vast cloud at the outer reaches of the solar outer reaches of the solar systemsystem

• Up to a trillion comets in Oort Up to a trillion comets in Oort cloud!cloud!

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Comet nucleusComet nucleus

Nucleus of Halley’s Comet

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Comet Hartley 1 seen from the Comet Hartley 1 seen from the EPOXI spacecraft (very recent)EPOXI spacecraft (very recent)

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Dust is ejected from nucleus as it Dust is ejected from nucleus as it heats up, makes comet tailheats up, makes comet tail

Electron Electron microscope microscope

image of dustimage of dust

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Concept QuestionConcept Question

• Remembering the division between the inner Remembering the division between the inner Solar System's rocky "terrestrial planets" and Solar System's rocky "terrestrial planets" and the outer Solar System's icy satellites, where in the outer Solar System's icy satellites, where in the Solar System might comets have originally the Solar System might comets have originally formed?formed?

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Stardust spacecraft has flown to a Stardust spacecraft has flown to a comet, brought dust back to Earthcomet, brought dust back to Earth

Stardust images of the nucleus

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Stardust spacecraft, continuedStardust spacecraft, continued

• Gathered cometary dust using Gathered cometary dust using aerogelaerogel targets targets

– The least dense substance that is still solidThe least dense substance that is still solid

• Brought back to Earth, being analyzedBrought back to Earth, being analyzed

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The Main PointsThe Main Points

• Asteroids and Comets: leftovers from Asteroids and Comets: leftovers from early Solar Systemearly Solar System

• AsteroidsAsteroids– Failed rocky planetesimals in outer Solar SystemFailed rocky planetesimals in outer Solar System– Didn't form planets because Jupiter kept stirring Didn't form planets because Jupiter kept stirring the potthe pot

– Most have fairly circular orbitsMost have fairly circular orbits– Dominated by collisions, orbital perturbations by Dominated by collisions, orbital perturbations by JupiterJupiter

• CometsComets– ““Dirty snowballs” - icey, develop tail when near Dirty snowballs” - icey, develop tail when near SunSun

– Highly elliptical orbits; Observe Kuiper belt, Highly elliptical orbits; Observe Kuiper belt, infer Oort Cloudinfer Oort Cloud

• Pluto and CharonPluto and Charon– Pluto as the largest Kuiper Belt object? Pluto as the largest Kuiper Belt object? Prototype of new class of dwarf planetsPrototype of new class of dwarf planets