Chaspter 17: Small bodies of the solar system - comets, asteroids, and dwarf planets

Asteroids

-Orbit the sun
-Made mainly of rock and metal.
-25 million larger than 100m diameter.
-600 larger than 50km diameter.

Ceres

The largest object in the asteroid belt. Also dwarf planet

Why is Ceres nearly spherical?

It is large enough the strength of gravity is stronger than the strength of the rock/ice it is made of

Vesta

The Largest Asteroid. Half the size of Ceres. Not round, so not dwarf planet

Which of the following is the main distinction
between an asteroid and a dwarf planet?

Shape

Kuiper Belt

-20 – 200 times more massive
than the Asteroid Belt.
Includes several known dwarf
planets – including Pluto!
Formed outside the frost lin

Charon – Pluto’s Moon

Which of the following is the main distinction
between an asteroid and a comet?

Composition