What is Asteroid: Definition and 279 Discussions

An asteroid is a minor planet of the inner Solar System. Historically, these terms have been applied to any astronomical object orbiting the Sun that did not resolve into a disc in a telescope and was not observed to have characteristics of an active comet such as a tail. As minor planets in the outer Solar System were discovered that were found to have volatile-rich surfaces similar to comets, these came to be distinguished from the objects found in the main asteroid belt. The term "asteroid" refers to the minor planets of the inner Solar System, including those co-orbital with Jupiter. Larger asteroids are often called planetoids.

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  1. O

    Asteroid falling to earth, what will be minimum speed and KE on planet?

    Homework Statement The gravitational pull of the Earth on an object is inversely proportional to the square of the distance of the object from the center of the earth. At the Earth's surface this force is equal to the object's normal weight mg, where g = 9.8m/s^2, and at large distances, the...
  2. D

    Will Both Chunks of the Split Asteroid Miss Starbase Alpha?

    An asteroid is spotted moving directly toward the center of Starbase Alpha. The frightened residents fire a missile at the asteriod, which breaks it into two chunks, one with 2.4 times the mass of the other. The chunks both pass the starbase at the same time. If the lighter chunk passes 1.8 km...
  3. V

    Circular Motion and Gravitation of asteroid

    The asteroid 243 Ida has a mass of about 4.0×1016 and an average radius of about 16 (it’s not spherical, but you can assume it is). A)Calculate the speed with which you would have to throw a rock to put it into orbit around the asteroid 243 Ida, near the surface. v= ? B)How long would...
  4. K

    Soft landiing an asteroid at the south pole

    can a small nickel/iron asteroid brought near Earth (matching its solar orbital velocity) and soft landed at the south pole where Earth's rotation is not an issue?
  5. D

    Are Sedimentary Layers the Cause of Banding on Asteroid Vesta?

    I found the recent report in Yahoo! News very interesting. For one, it appears to have bands. The first thing that jumped into my mind was "sedimentary layers." Could there be another explanation for such banding? If the Southern half is dominated by a giant crater, it makes sense it'd...
  6. D

    What is the Iron Mass in the Main Asteroid Belt?

    I'm trying to find how much iron (by mass) is in the main asteroid belt. I'm finding a lot of sites that say 10% of the asteroids are M class, but is that by number or by mass? Does anyone know, and can you provide a reference?
  7. N

    What is the mysterious asteroid that has been tagging along with Earth?

    Today I see news articles everywhere on an asteroid that tagging along with the earth. I was hoping there would be a thread on the subject here. My questions are 1) What is it? 2) Why on Earth (excuse the pun) haven't we noticed it until now! Is it new in Earth's orbit? We are busy...
  8. marcus

    First orbit of an asteroid this month (around Vesta, with ion drive)

    Dawn spacecraft is nearing Vesta and is planned to go into orbit 16 July. http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/06jul_vestamoon/ The craft will orbit Vesta for several months and then move on to another asteroid, Ceres. The NASA press release mentions that several...
  9. A

    Gravity modelling of asteroid 433 Eros. Any help will be appreciated.

    Hello. I am an engineering student and i am attempting to model the gravity around the asteroid Eros by expanding the potential as a spherical harmonic expansion. I got the coefficients (Clm and Slm) from the Planetary Data Model of Eros(NEAR Collected Shape and Gravity Models available at...
  10. T

    Can the Earth have an asteroid stuck in permanent orbit like our moon?

    Good morning, I've searched about this case in the internet but just found things about asteriods sharing the same orbit as Earth over the sun, but I wonder if an asteroid can get stuck in Earth's orbit like the moon. Thanks!
  11. P

    Angular deflection problem in asteroid game

    I have written a computer game which involves 2D asteroids spinning and colliding with one another. Out of some kind of pride or something I wrote my own physics engine to handle the collisions, even though I never studied physics. (Please excuse therefore any incorrect terminology)...
  12. Z

    The rotating movement of an asteroid

    I almost all movies where you could see an animation about an asteroid, they move in a very distinct way. I don't know how to explain better, but I think what we can see in the movies is that the asteroid is rotating around not one, but around two or three axis at a given time. What is this...
  13. E

    Melting a dangerous asteroid about to impact Earth

    I was wondering how much energy it would take to melt a big enough asteroid considered to be dangerous? Is it even possible? If possible, could it be done fast enough before it impacts? If it is completely melted can it then be somehow dispersed so that it turns into smaller chunks that...
  14. M

    What is the binding energy needed to shatter Earth by asteroid impact?

    Which is the asteroid size or mass which can destroy the Earth totally (I mean, breaking apart)?
  15. M

    Asteroid Density & Impact Rate - Earth vs Mars

    What is the ratio of asteroid impacts on the Mars to the same rate on the Earth? I think it depends on the diameter of the planets (~ diameter^2), and on the density of asteroids. Ca we say something about this second factor?
  16. M

    Asteroid Impact Crater Size: Function of Diameter

    What is the crater size for an asteroid impact as a function of the asteroid diameter? Are there any estimated function?
  17. M

    How often do small asteroids reach the Earth's solid surface?

    I have to model an asteroid collision to the surface of the Earth In my model the infinite short stop is not sufficient I have to suppose some time scale which measure the time length of the stop in the surface Could you help me?
  18. P

    Calculating Orbit Time of a Hypothetical Planet in the Asteroid Belt

    Just looking for a place to start, not all the work. Homework Statement 3 The asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter consists of many fragments (which some space scientists think came from a planet that once orbited the Sun but was destroyed). (a) If the radius of the asteroid belt (where...
  19. R

    Introduction and Questions about Asteroid Belt/Jovians

    Good evening, everyone. My name is Steve, I'm 37 and from a small town called Fort Dodge in Iowa (USA). I have no formal education in Astronomy, but have always loved the topic since I was a child (most likely due to having a cousin who was an engineer for NASA who would send me photos and...
  20. M

    Calculating Max Radius of Asteroid to Escape From

    I need to estimate the maximum radius of an asteroid that I could jump free from. All I am told is that its density is the same as that of the earth, and I am given a figure for the Earth's radius. I know the equations for the escape velocity etc, but I just can't seem to get around this...
  21. B

    Navigation through the Asteroid belt

    How do scientists ensure that probes traveling beyond Mars avoid the asteroid belt? How are calculations made regarding the probe's journey through the asteroid belt to ensure that they are not hit by one?!
  22. C

    Asteroid orbiting each other

    Homework Statement Consider only two asteroids, both of uniform mass ma, r=10km radius, separated by s=10m. What are the equations for velocity and orbital period for a stable circular orbit? Homework Equations If the asteroids are considered point masses then the distance between them, R...
  23. H

    Calculating Orbital Period of Asteroid Between Mars & Jupiter

    Homework Statement An asteroid is located between Mars and Jupiter. It is thought that a planet once orbited here but was somehow destroyed and broken up into small chunks(perhaps by getting hit by a comet or asteroid). If an asteroid in this belt has an average distance from the sun of 500 *...
  24. F

    Asteroid Hits Earth Conservation of angular momentum

    Homework Statement the Earth has a n angular speed of 7.272 x 10 ^ -5 rad/s in it;s rotation. Find the new angular speed if an asteroid ( m = 1.17 x 10 ^ 22kg) hits the Earth while traveling at 1.41 x10^3 m/s. the asteroid hits the Earth dead center Homework Equations The...
  25. B

    Oscillation of a spring and mass on an asteroid

    Homework Statement Find the period of oscillation T of the spring and mass on the asteroidHomework Equations T=2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}The Attempt at a Solution I have found the value for T but was wondering if T depends on the bodies gravity? Is the above equation only applicable to Earth?
  26. T

    The Asteroid (implicit differentiation)

    Homework Statement Calculate the length of the graph/equation: x^(2/3) + y^(2/3) = a^(2/3) The graph is formed as an s.c. asteroid, almost like a diamond. It seems to be some sort of modified unit circle. Homework Equations The length of the graph between x1 and x2 can be described as L=∫...
  27. T

    Solving the Rotational Motion of Asteroid

    Homework Statement A spherical asteroid with radius r = 123m and mass M = 2.50×10^10kg rotates about an axis at 4 revolutions per day. A "tug" spaceship attaches itself to the asteroid's south pole (as defined by the axis of rotation) and fires its engine, applying a force F tangentially to...
  28. L

    Momentum conservation of asteroid in a dust cloud

    Note: this is one of the suggested practice problems for my second-year classical mechanics course. Homework Statement A spherical asteroid of mass m_{0} and radius R, initially moving at speed v_{0}, encounters a stationary cloud of dust. As the asteroid moves through the cloud, it collects...
  29. K

    Spherical asteroid moving through a dust cloud

    Homework Statement A spherical asteroid of mass m0 and radius, R, initially moving at speed v0, encounters a stationary cloud of dust. As the asteroid moves through the cloud, it collects all the dust that it hits, and slows down as a result. Ignore the increase in radius of the asteroid...
  30. L

    Estimate the radius of the largest asteroid you could escape by jumping

    Homework Statement estimate the radius of the largest asteroid from which you could escape simply by jumping off. Homework Equations R^2= 3gh/4piGp The Attempt at a Solution Would I use this formula to solve it? Found it online but dose not seem right. this is a 2 part problem...
  31. H

    Bifurcated Asteroid - Centrifugal force

    Hi, my math and physics are poor so please bear with me. I have an bifurcated asteroid - 2 components. A sphere diameter 1.5km (m1) and a larger sphere, 2km in diameter (m2). The spheres are touching. System spins around the long axis. Assuming both bodies have internal strength (not...
  32. S

    When Will the Asteroid Reach the Sun?

    Homework Statement A asteroid is approaching our solar system from a great distance (r->infinity) and is headed straight for the Sun. Because of the gravitational pull of the Sun the asteroid is constantly accelerating. Radius of Earth's Orbit around the Sun (R_{e}) 1.5*10^11 Venus is given...
  33. M

    Tracking a Space Ship: Will an Asteroid Hit the Target?

    This problem is a sample flight path of a ship in space. Its path is described by the line r(t) = (-1+t)i + (2-t)j An asteroid has the starting point (0, 5, -1) and a heading vector of 2i + j + 3k Ship x = -1 + t j = 2 -t z = 0 asteroid x = 0 + 2t y = 5 + t z = -1 + 3t The...
  34. rrw4rusty

    Name of asteroid that'll pass very close

    Hello again, Once again my brain has failed me and I can't find it with google... What's the name of the asteroid that will pass very close to us in the near future? Also the date/time when it will pass? Oh... 10q, 10q, 10q! Rusty
  35. D

    Asteroid Impacts on Deep Watery Planets/Moons?

    Just curious what your thoughts are on ~10mile objects hitting deep oceans on large planets &/or Moons with very deep oceans? They say Earth is dry & that other planets & moons could have oceans 100's of KM's deep. Would there be any material being ejected into the atmosphere & blocking out the...
  36. G

    Could the Chicxulub asteroid have changed Earth's orbit or axis at all

    I heard that the recent Chile earthquake moved Earth's axis by 8cm or so. Could the Chicxulub asteroid (or the even bigger, Antarctic one I just http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2010/03/did-the-planets-most-massive-asteroid-impact-ever-occur-in-antarctica-nasa-gravity-maps-point-to-yes.html"...
  37. D

    If a 10km Asteroid Impacted the Pacific along the equator

    Say between Hawaii & French Polonesia. What would it look like standing on the beach in LA or Sydney? Can anyone give detailed description? Like would the sky out on the ocean front light up like a second sun? What kind of a wave? How far inland would it reach? Would it be followed by...
  38. B

    How Long Does It Take an Asteroid to Orbit the Sun Compared to Earth?

    An asteroid is orbiting around the sun at a distance of 4.2x 1011 m. If the Earth orbits around the Sun at a distance of 1.5 x 1011 m with a period of 3.2 x107 s, what is the period of the asteroid? Im thinking it was 9.0 x 10^7 s ?
  39. S

    Relativistic asteroid collision

    Just wondering here, how much energy (in Joules or Mtons) would an asteroid say 15 km wide have if it impacted the moon at 99.9% the speed of light? btw, I'm trying to figure this calculation out in terms of SR where the mass of the asteroid would appear much greater than if it was traveling...
  40. B

    An asteroid is orbiting around the sun at a distance of 4.2

    An asteroid is orbiting around the sun at a distance of 4.2  1011 m. If the Earth orbits around the Sun at a distance of 1.5  1011 m with a period of 3.2  107 s, what is the period of the asteroid?
  41. T

    Splitting an Asteroid: Calculating Alterations in Course with Explosive Charge

    An explosive charge breaks up an asteroid into two pieces, of 2x1012kg and 3x1012kg respectively. If the first alters course by 2ms-1, by how much does the second alter course? I really don't know where to start on this. It must be about conservation of momentum, but i don't get how to do...
  42. Helios

    Aristeo, the calendar asteroid

    I've been thinking about the following possibility. It might interest asteroid scientist. Were an asteroid in just the right place and were just the right solar calendar in use, then it would be possible that an asteroid would never be in opposition during leap years. Suppose there is...
  43. Q

    Gravitational potential energy of asteroid

    hi, i don't really understand the meaning to GPE. if we define a point at infinity to have 0 GPE, then any point before infinity would have -ve GPE. so let's say an asteroid crashing to Earth at the surface of the Earth has initial kinetic energy of 1/2mv^2 and GPE of -GMM/r so E(total)...
  44. E

    Asteroid: Potential/Kinetic Energy, Angular Momentum

    Homework Statement Suppose an asteroid of mass 5e20 kg is nearly at rest outside the solar system, far beyond Pluto. It falls toward the Sun and crashes into the Earth at the equator, coming in at an angle of 30 degrees to the vertical as shown, against the direction of rotation of the...
  45. H

    What Is the Total Economic Value of the Asteroid Belt?

    I'm working on a potential posting about the total economic value of all possible mined ores in the asteroid belt. This is something of an experimental draft to follow below. The total mass of the asteroid belt has a minimum and maximum estimate. What is 3.0Kg to the 1021st power Minimum...
  46. S

    How Long Will It Take for a Spaceship and Asteroid to Meet?

    Homework Statement At a time when mining asteroids has become feasible, astronauts have connected a line between their 3500 kg space tug and 6200 kg asteroid. Using their ship's engine, they pull on the asteroid with a force of 490 N. Initially the tug and the asteroid are at rest, 450 m apart...
  47. X

    Conservation of Momentum for Asteroid in Dust Cloud

    Homework Statement A spherical asteroid of mass m_0 is moving freely in interstellar space (no external forces) with velocity v_0 . It runs into a dust cloud whose uniform density is \rho_d Assume that every particle of dust that hits the asteroid sticks to it and that the asteroid remains...
  48. CFDFEAGURU

    New Calculated Trajectory for the Apophis asteroid

    Hello all, This NASA press release indicated that there is less likely hood of an encounter with the Apophis asteroid in 2036. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/oct/HQ_09-232_Apophis_Update.html Thanks Matt
  49. B

    Earth and the Itokawa asteroid

    Next year the Hyabusa spacecraft will return to Earth from the asteroid Itokawa. Inspired by this, you are required to report on your individual study of the following: The free trajectory options, associated Δv requirements and mission times to take a spacecraft from a low Earth orbit...
  50. B

    Capturing an asteroid in Earth orbit

    Yes I know someone else has posted something similar but I was wondering if capturing an 150 meter asteroid is possible in Earth orbit? Also can it be done by adjusting the delta v way out from Earth using the tug of a probe that you send to do such a job? (And maybe a final slow down with the...
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