The Kuiper belt

Discussion in 'Astronomy, Exobiology, & Cosmology' started by cosmictraveler, Aug 15, 2007.

  1. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    From Wikipedia

    "The Kuiper belt (pronounced /ˈkaɪpɚ/, to rhyme with "viper"),[1] sometimes called the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt, is a region of the Solar System beyond the planets extending from the orbit of Neptune (at 30 AU)[2] to approximately 55 AU from the Sun.[3] It is similar to the asteroid belt, although it is far larger; 20 times as wide and 20–200 times as massive.[4][5] Like the asteroid belt, it consists mainly of small bodies (remnants from the Solar System's formation) and at least one dwarf planet – Pluto. But while the asteroid belt is composed primarily of rock and metal.

    Pluto, a dwarf planet, is the largest known member of the Kuiper belt. Originally considered a planet, it has many physical properties in common with the objects of the Kuiper belt, and has been known since the early 1990s to share its orbit with a number of similarly sized KBOs, now called Plutinos."


    Everyday some of these object run into each other throwing them out of that orbit and out into space. One day one of these objects will hit the Earth again as others have done in the past here as well as on other planets and moons. We won't see it coming for it is dark and the background is dark. There's no way to tell where these objects are once they leave the orbit of the belt.
     
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  3. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    So whats your point ? It has been like this for millions of years. So what if a pluto-sized asteroid hits earth tomorrow.. it would be a shame but we cant do anything about it..

    What is your personal view on this ?
    What should mankind do to prepare itself ?
    Is it possible for humankind to prepare itself from such a disaster ?

    See, im really doing YOUR work here...
     
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  5. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    Just trying to show you what has happened before and is about to happen again here. No one seems to be looking up, but only looking out for the calamities on this planet.
     
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  7. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Well, this would also be a calamity on this planet..

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    But i get what youre saying.
    I just dont think you will get many postings in this thread if you aint going to have a question or statement about it. You need something to get the discussion going.
     
  8. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Oh and please could you use normal font-size ?
     
  9. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    Is this better?
     
  10. orcot Valued Senior Member

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    So what are the changes of one of theses amonia water rich bodies hitting Mars creating a partial global ocean and a 1 bar envoriment?
     
  11. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    Some of them are solid rock.
     

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