Space rocks in the solar system can be categorized into various types, including asteroids, comets, meteors, and meteorites. These celestial objects orbit the sun alongside the known planets, adding to the vastness of our cosmic neighborhood. Astronomers have bestowed different names upon these rocks to distinguish their unique characteristics and origins.
Asteroids, for instance, are clusters of rock and debris that lack an atmosphere. They came into existence during the formation of the solar system and range in size from that of a car to an entire city. Composed of several elements, including carbon, they often resemble lumpy black coal or loose rubble held together by gravity.
Asteroids are predominantly found in a region called the asteroid belt, situated between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. This belt is home to hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of these celestial bodies. Additionally, asteroids and comets have varying orbits, with some coming dangerously close to Earth. Scientists across the globe collaborate on systems to track these near-Earth objects (NEOs) and predict potential risks associated with their impact.
One recent example is the asteroid discovered in August 2023 through the asteroid impact warning system in Chile, a joint initiative sponsored by NASA and developed by the University of Hawaii. This particular space rock measures approximately 183 meters in length and follows a trajectory towards Earth. However, calculations have confirmed that no collision is imminent, as its closest approach to our planet remains about 230,000 kilometers away.
Asteroids, being remnants of the early solar system, serve as a treasure trove of information for astronomers. The intriguing proposition has arisen: could the asteroid belt also contain organic matter crucial to Earth’s origin and the possibility of life?
Moving on to comets, these objects resemble icy masses encircling the Sun. At their core lies a nucleus, accompanied by compressed gas, debris, and dust. As comets approach the sun along their elliptical orbits, they heat up, emitting gas and dust particles. This phenomenon creates a luminous head with a tail pointing away from the sun.
Although the exact number of comets in the solar system remains uncertain, astronomers estimate their count to be around 3,535. Similar to asteroids, comets are relics of the solar system’s formation and thus hold valuable insights into the universe’s beginnings.
Another widely discussed type of space rock is the meteorite. These small fragments of rock originate from asteroids, comets, and even planets within our solar system. While meteorites typically do not pose a severe threat to Earth, we often witness their passage through our atmosphere as shooting stars or during meteor showers.
An example of such an event is the Orionid Meteor Shower, which occurred on October 21, 2023. This spectacular phenomenon traces its orbit back to Halley’s Comet, which last passed the Sun in 1986, leaving behind a substantial trail of dust and small space rocks.
Throughout history, abundant space rocks have fallen to Earth, some of which have significantly impacted our planet’s ecosystems. While others may be minuscule and inconsequential, astronomers worldwide continue to delve into the study of these celestial wonders. By gaining a deeper understanding of our solar system, there is the potential to unearth clues about the origins of our world.
References:
– “What’s that Space Rock?” – Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA)
– “10 Things: What’s that Space Rock?” – NASA Science
– “Meteor” – National Geographic Education
– “สถานีข่าว “ที.พี.บี.เอส” [Thai PBS News]”
– “ทิศทาง” [Thairath News]
Space rocks in the solar system can be classified into several types, such as asteroids, comets, meteors, and meteorites, etc. What are these space objects? And why do astronomers call these rocks different names?
In the solar system, various space objects orbit the sun In addition to the planets we already know It is also full of space rocks which are like rough dirt roads. It also moves in circles around the sun. Astronomers are trying to learn more about these space rocks. in the hope of finding some answers That could lead to a hint of the appearance of life on the planet we call Earth, or maybe it’s just a hypothesis that never really happened.
Asteroids are groups of rocks or rocks that do not have an atmosphere. Birth is the result of the formation of the solar system. They range from the size of a car to the size of a large city.
Asteroids contain a variety of elements, such as the metal carbon that gives them lumps of black coal. Some stars are a collection of rubble. which are stretched together loosely by their own gravity Or it could be one big boulder.
The location of asteroids in the solar system is in a region called the asteroid belt that orbits between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter which has hundreds of thousands of stars Or perhaps millions of stars
Classification of space rocks / NASA illustration
Asteroids (and comets) have different orbits. Some space rocks have been found to have orbits close to Earth, known as near-Earth objects or NEOs. Scientists on Earth have been trying to find a system to track these space objects before they hit Earth. At the moment, these systems are supported by the space work unit of many countries Determining whether or not there may be dangers to the world.
Most recently, in August 2023, the asteroid impact warning system in Chile. sponsored by NASA and developed by the University of Hawaii A space rock has been found. which has a length of about 183 meters and has an orbit in the direction of the Earth. But from current knowledge, there is still no chance of a collision with Earth. Because when calculating the orbital direction, the position that is closest to the Earth The orbit of the space rock is still about 230,000 kilometers from the Earth.
in the study of the universe Asteroids are like a reservoir of information from the early solar system, and astronomers have also proposed the theory that Could the asteroid belt be a source of organic matter that is important to the origin of life on Earth?
Comet ISON / Photo NASA
The next known type of space rock is a comet.
Comets are like lumps of ice orbiting the Sun. All comets have a center called a nucleus. compressed gas along with debris and dust When the comet’s orbit approaches the sun The comet heats up and spews dust and gas. Forming into a huge glowing ball with a tail extending out in the opposite direction from the sun
At present, astronomers do not know the exact number of comets in the solar system. But it is estimated that there should be around 3,535 stars, All comets have formation characteristics similar to asteroids. They are left over from the formation of the solar system, so scientists believe that comets contain information that could help solve the mystery of the origin of the universe.
One of the types of space rocks most often mentioned in the media are meteorites.Made from pieces of rock released from asteroids, comets and planets in the solar system, meteorites are the smallest type of space rock. This usually does not have a serious impact on our planet. But we can see them when meteors pass through the Earth’s atmosphere in the form of meteors and meteor showers.
On October 21, 2023, news agencies in many countries presented content inviting the public to come out and watch. The “Orionid Meteor Shower” traces the orbit of Halley’s Comet which passed the Sun in 1986 and left a large amount of dust and small space rocks in its orbit.
in the history of mankind some space rocks have fallen to Earth in abundance. Some are so large that they cause changes to the world’s ecosystems. Some of them were just small stones. That had no effect at all, however, astronomers from all over the world continue to study the space rock further. Understanding the solar system And sometimes they can get some hints from these space rock samples. that can explain the origins of our world
Naphatthanai search and compilation
Reference information
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/slideshow/whats-that-space-rock/
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/10-things-whats-that-space-rock/
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/9meteor/
https://www.thaipbs.or.th/now/content/239
https://www.thairath.co.th/news/society/2734580
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