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Chapter 12: Problem 32

Most asteroids are found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, but astronomers are especially interested in the relative few whose orbits cross that of Earth. Why?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Astronomers are interested in Earth-crossing asteroids because they could collide with Earth and cause significant damage.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Orbits

Asteroids usually orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter in a region known as the asteroid belt. Some asteroids, however, have orbits that cross Earth's orbit.
02

Identify the Risk to Earth

Asteroids whose orbits cross Earth's orbit pose a potential threat because they could collide with Earth. Such a collision could cause significant damage to life and property.
03

Importance to Astronomers

Astronomers are especially interested in these Earth-crossing asteroids because they need to track their paths and predict any possible collisions. This allows for early warnings and potential deflection measures.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

asteroid belt
Asteroids are small rocky bodies that revolve around the Sun. Most of these are found in a region called the asteroid belt. The asteroid belt lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This is a densely packed region where countless asteroids, varying in size, orbit the Sun. The gravitational influence of Jupiter helps to keep these asteroids in the asteroid belt.
However, not all asteroids stay within this region. Some asteroids get nudged out of the asteroid belt due to gravitational interactions or collisions. These asteroids can then enter orbits that bring them closer to the inner planets, including Earth.
orbit
An orbit is the curved path that an object, like an asteroid, follows around a larger body, such as the Sun. Asteroids in the asteroid belt have nearly circular orbits. However, when an asteroid is pushed out of the belt, its orbit can become more elliptical.
This change can cause the asteroid’s path to intersect with Earth’s orbit. These asteroids, known as Earth-crossing asteroids, are of particular interest to astronomers. Understanding the orbits of these asteroids helps predict their future positions and any potential risk to Earth.
collision risk
Asteroids that have orbits crossing Earth's path present a collision risk. When an asteroid's orbit intersects with Earth's orbit, there's a chance, however small, that Earth and the asteroid could collide.
A collision with even a relatively small asteroid could cause significant damage. Larger asteroids could lead to catastrophic events, potentially causing widespread damage to the environment and loss of life. This is why astronomers monitor Earth-crossing asteroids closely, to predict and mitigate any potential collision threats.
  • Close monitoring allows for early detection of potential collisions.
  • Understanding the size and composition of these asteroids helps estimate the damage they could cause.
astronomical tracking
Astronomical tracking involves observing and predicting the paths of celestial objects such as asteroids. For Earth-crossing asteroids, tracking is vital to determine if and when they might come close to Earth. Astronomers use telescopes and radar to track these asteroids, collecting data on their size, shape, and orbital path.
This data is fed into computer models that simulate the asteroid's future positions. Accurate tracking allows astronomers to predict potential collision dates years or even decades in advance. This advanced warning is crucial for planning any necessary actions to protect Earth.
deflection measures
If an Earth-crossing asteroid is found to be on a collision course, deflection measures might be implemented. Deflection means changing the asteroid's path so it no longer intersects with Earth’s orbit. Various methods are under consideration for deflecting asteroids:
  • **Kinetic impactor**: Involves sending a spacecraft to collide with the asteroid to alter its course.
  • **Gravity tractor**: A spacecraft flies alongside the asteroid, using its gravitational pull to nudge the asteroid onto a different path.
  • **Nuclear explosion**: Detonating a nuclear device near or on the asteroid to change its direction.
Implementing these measures requires careful planning and coordination, making early detection and tracking essential to protecting our planet.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The orbital periods of Comets Encke, Halley, and Hale-Bopp are 3.3 years, 76 years, and 2,530 years, respectively. Their orbital eccentricities are \(0.847,0.967,\) and \(0.995,\) respectively. a. What are the semimajor axes (in astronomical units) of the orbits of these comets? b. What are the minimum and maximum distances from the Sun (in astronomical units) reached by Comets Halley and Hale-Bopp in their respective orbits? c. Which would you guess is the most pristine comet among the three? Which is the least? Explain your reasoning.

What are the differences between a comet and a meteor in terms of their size, distance, and how long they remain visible?

The three types of meteorites come from different parts of their parent bodies. Stony-iron meteorites are rare because a. they are hard to find. b. the volume of a differentiated body that has both stone and iron is small. c. there is very little iron in the Solar System. d. the magnetic field of the Sun attracts the iron.

Earth's Moon has a diameter of \(3,474 \mathrm{km}\) and orbits at an average distance of \(384,400 \mathrm{km}\). At this distance it subtends an angle just slightly larger than half a degree in Earth's sky. Pluto's moon Charon has a diameter of \(1,186 \mathrm{km}\) and orbits at a distance of \(19,600 \mathrm{km}\) from the dwarf planet. a. Compare the appearance of Charon in Pluto's skies with the Moon in Earth's skies. b. Describe where in the sky Charon would appear as seen from various locations on Pluto.

As a comet leaves the inner Solar System, the ion tail points a. back along the orbit. b. forward along the orbit. c. toward the Sun. d. away from the Sun.
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