In the solar system, many celestial bodies rotate in their orbits. From huge planets like Jupiter and Saturn to dwarf planets like Mercury and Pluto. But there are other bodies of natural origin, which are much smaller and lighter than planets, but revolve around the Sun with the same accuracy. They are called Minor Planets. How do they look?
Instructions
Step 1
Unfortunately, we cannot see even one small planet with the naked eye. Even if she were inside our atmosphere, it is not a fact that we would see her. After all, the size of some small planets does not exceed 50 m. These, of course, are the smallest planets, there are also those that reach 100 km in size.
Step 2
Sizes and shapes
Interestingly, the minor planets do not have a definite shape. They can be round, oval, or even trapezoidal. They can contain both mountains and depressions. This is because these bodies do not have a nucleus; accordingly, they do not have a gravitational field. This means that they will never be able to give themselves a perfectly round shape! In addition, asteroids are debris of larger celestial bodies that once existed.
Step 3
Therefore, speaking of size, we are not talking about the equator or the distance between the poles, as if we were talking about the Earth. Rather, scientists calculate one side of these small celestial bodies and transmit information to the public.
Step 4
Through a telescope, small planets appear before us as stars, as small luminous points. That is why they are called asteroids, which means "starlike" from Latin. But there is a group of asteroids whose orbit is between the Sun and Mercury, which cannot be seen with an ordinary telescope due to the bright sunlight.
Step 5
So far, scientists know about four hundred thousand minor planets. But their total number can be in the billions. Most of the asteroids are concentrated between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Some intersect with Earth's orbit. It is during this period that they are best seen through a telescope.
Step 6
Unusual asteroids
Some asteroids are known to have satellites. For example, the small planet Ida discovered by the Galileo spacecraft. Its moon Dactyl, shaped like an egg, orbits at a distance of 100 km from the center of the asteroid.
Step 7
Some minor planets or their particles reach the Earth's surface. After falling, they are called meteorites. Overcoming the protective layer of the Earth, they lose a significant part of their rock and land mainly in the form of small stones.
Step 8
Professional photographs of astronomers give a clear idea of the minor planets, their shapes and sizes. The accuracy of their rotation around the Sun is amazing, because their small size and mass could allow them to go off course. But there are no mistakes in space.
