Spring 2010 Astronomy 110 MWF 9:30 &mdash 10:20

7. COSMIC DEBRIS

In addition to the major planets, our solar system contains a variety of asteroids, "dwarf planets", and other rubble. These objects continue to play an important role in the evolution of major planets; they also provide a window on conditions in the early solar system.

"Look here brother / Who you jiving with that Cosmik Debris?"
— Frank Zappa

Reading

Please read all subsections of each section below.

9.1 Asteroids and Meteorites
9.2 Comets
9.3 Pluto: Lone Dog No More
9.4 Cosmic Collisions: Small Bodies Versus the Planets

Online

  1. Complete the Cosmic Debris assignment, due on Monday, 1 Mar 2010 at 9:00 am.

  2. Review the lecture slides.
Joshua E. Barnes      (barnes at ifa.hawaii.edu)
Updated: 27 February 2010
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~barnes/ast110_10/debris.html 		Valid HTML 4.01!