Eric Holt
Per. 5
CSB #2
The Asteroids
Celestial – Large Bodies of Rock, or Gas in Space
Debris – Floating particles in space separate from a large group
Summary: Between Jupiter and Mars there is a large asteroid field. A year ago 2 asteroids collided into each other created an explosion similar to a nuclear bomb. Although one was only 10 or 15 feet across, the other was a massive 400 feet wide. The most astonishing fact about this is that this is the first time humans have ever observed an asteroid impact right after it happens. Strangely, the explosion has created an X shaped cloud of dust and other materials. Researchers, however, are not sure exactly what caused this bizarre shape, and have been stumped as to how it has lasted for so long. At first, scientists believed that the dust would spread rapidly, but in fact it has spread very slowly. It is believed that 1 of the lines of the X shape is coming from what is left of the wrecked asteroids, while the other is coming from some other small debris. The dust from the cloud continues to blow back, creating a long tail, by solar winds. Apparently, if 2 small asteroids collide at least 5km/sec then the resulting explosion will be atomic. The large amounts of dust come from the shattered asteroids. All that is left of the asteroids is a small clump in the middle about 450 feet long. The asteroid dust is expected to drift off into space in a short period of time. This study is important to the scientists because they “need to know where the dust in the solar system comes from, and how much of it comes from colliding asteroids as opposed to ‘outgassing’ comets.” Scientists also believe this may be the cause of dust around stars, because they have never been able to see the celestial bodies collide. To the date, researchers are still tracking this very peculiar asteroid collision to learn as much as possible.
Discussion: I chose this article because I enjoy the science of astronomy. I have always been interested in large explosions millions of miles away. Astronomy leaves room for ideas, which I really enjoy. I believe that this information will become useful for scientist in the years to come because it will explain a lot about celestial bodies. It might explain the clouds of dust seen around many stars that scientists have not yet been able to explain, or it could explain a number of other things. This is why I have chosen this article on Astronomy.
Questions:
Why is the dust cloud still there?
How fast were they going when they crashed?
What would happen if an asteroid crashed into Earth?
Sources:
Article - http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/10/14/x-marks-the-spot-of-a-dramatic-asteroid-collision/
Image - http://img534.imageshack.us/i/hubbleasteroidcollision.jpg/
Per. 5
CSB #2
The Asteroids
Celestial – Large Bodies of Rock, or Gas in Space
Debris – Floating particles in space separate from a large group
Summary: Between Jupiter and Mars there is a large asteroid field. A year ago 2 asteroids collided into each other created an explosion similar to a nuclear bomb. Although one was only 10 or 15 feet across, the other was a massive 400 feet wide. The most astonishing fact about this is that this is the first time humans have ever observed an asteroid impact right after it happens. Strangely, the explosion has created an X shaped cloud of dust and other materials. Researchers, however, are not sure exactly what caused this bizarre shape, and have been stumped as to how it has lasted for so long. At first, scientists believed that the dust would spread rapidly, but in fact it has spread very slowly. It is believed that 1 of the lines of the X shape is coming from what is left of the wrecked asteroids, while the other is coming from some other small debris. The dust from the cloud continues to blow back, creating a long tail, by solar winds. Apparently, if 2 small asteroids collide at least 5km/sec then the resulting explosion will be atomic. The large amounts of dust come from the shattered asteroids. All that is left of the asteroids is a small clump in the middle about 450 feet long. The asteroid dust is expected to drift off into space in a short period of time. This study is important to the scientists because they “need to know where the dust in the solar system comes from, and how much of it comes from colliding asteroids as opposed to ‘outgassing’ comets.” Scientists also believe this may be the cause of dust around stars, because they have never been able to see the celestial bodies collide. To the date, researchers are still tracking this very peculiar asteroid collision to learn as much as possible.
Discussion: I chose this article because I enjoy the science of astronomy. I have always been interested in large explosions millions of miles away. Astronomy leaves room for ideas, which I really enjoy. I believe that this information will become useful for scientist in the years to come because it will explain a lot about celestial bodies. It might explain the clouds of dust seen around many stars that scientists have not yet been able to explain, or it could explain a number of other things. This is why I have chosen this article on Astronomy.
Questions:
Why is the dust cloud still there?
How fast were they going when they crashed?
What would happen if an asteroid crashed into Earth?
Sources:
Article - http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/10/14/x-marks-the-spot-of-a-dramatic-asteroid-collision/
Image - http://img534.imageshack.us/i/hubbleasteroidcollision.jpg/
