Most of the small objects in the solar system, such as asteroids and comets, are classified by their composition. The composition of an object can be determined from its spectral signature, which is the wavelength of light that it reflects or emits. Based on the composition of an object,scientists can infer its origin and its place in the solar system.
The majority of asteroids are made of rocks and metals, and are therefore classified as stony or metallic. Stony asteroids are further subdivided into subclasses based on their composition, such as carbonaceous, silicaceous, and iron-rich asteroids. Carbonaceous asteroids are the most common type of asteroid, and are generally dark in color. Silicaceous asteroids are made of silicate minerals, and are often brighter in color. Iron-rich asteroids are made largely of iron and nickel, and are typically metallic in appearance.
Comets are classified based on their composition and their orbital period. Comets that orbit the sun in less than 200 years are classified as short-period comets, while those with orbital periods greater than 200 years are classified as long-period comets. Short-period comets are further subdivided into subclasses based on their composition, such as Halley-type, Kreutz-group, and Jupiter-family comets. Halley-type comets are made of ice and dust, and have elliptical orbits that take them close to the sun. Kreutz-group comets are made of dust, and have very elliptical orbits that take them far from the sun. Jupiter-family comets have orbits that are influenced by Jupiter, and typically have shorter orbital periods than Halley-type or Kreutz-group comets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the small bodies in the Solar System?
There are a variety of objects in the Solar System that fit into this small body category, including comets, asteroids, the objects in the Kuiper Belt and the Oort cloud, small planetary satellites, Triton, Pluto, Charon, and interplanetary dust.
What are the different types of planets?
Planets are objects in our solar system that are composed of mainly Iron and Gas and have enough mass to generate their own atmosphere.
What is a small Solar System body?
Small Solar System Bodies are defined by the International Astronomical Union as any object smaller than a planet. This includes dwarf planets, natural satellites, comets and meteoroids. There is no official size limit, but objects larger than 100 kilometers in diameter (roughly the size of Pluto) are generally not considered small Solar System bodies.
What are the 5 small bodies in the Solar System?
There are five small bodies in the solar system: comets, asteroids, the objects in the Kuiper Belt and Oort cloud, small planetary satellites, and Triton.
What are the smallest objects in the Solar System?
There are several small objects in the Solar System, including interplanetary dust, particles of solar wind and free particles of hydrogen. The smallest object in the Solar System is Pluto, which is about two-thirds the size of a golf ball.
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