If say two comets, asteriods, or meteroites were to collide would they just smash each other apart or could this cause them to change paths?
2006-06-17 07:54:13 · 9 answers · asked by butterflykisses427 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A little of both.
It depends a lot on the size, speed, and composition of each asteroid, but assuming the two objects are of roughly equal size and made of similar materials, you would expect to see them ricochet off of one another like pool balls. At the same time, you would see destruction in the area of impact, creating a debris field of broken pieces. These pieces could potentially be very large. Over time, gravity would tend to draw all of the pieces back together, assuming that there is no large source of gravity nearby to counteract that.
2006-06-17 08:03:59 · answer #1 · answered by marbledog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same as with two cars. Would depend on their size, relative size, the speed they were both going when they crashed, the angle of approach, the size of the surfaces that came into contact, etc.
Since meteorites are objects that have already entered the earth's atmosphere, most of which burn up from the friction with the atmostphere, meteorites are not at all likely to collide. Your best bet is probably a comet-asteroid collision which we would never notice here on earth, but that isn't at all likely, either.
2006-06-17 08:02:28 · answer #2 · answered by Beckee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
comets and meteorites are solids of varying density. Asteroids are generally loose collections of rock and metal. So and asteroid would likely break apart while the other 2 could possibly deflect each other if hit a glancing blow. But the other two are generally going at least 25000 mph. So it would have to be VERY glancing.
2006-06-17 13:09:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are theory to be left over supplies from the formation of the image voltaic device. maximum asteroids come from an area between Mars and Juipter. Comets come from the some distance reaches of our image voltaic device in a area previous Pluto common because of the fact the Kuiper Belt.
2016-12-08 22:04:42 · answer #4 · answered by bornhoft 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on size and trajectory. Both options are possible and likely.
2006-06-17 07:58:06 · answer #5 · answered by smokingun 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many possibilities depending on their motion, mass, and composition.
2006-06-17 09:03:03 · answer #6 · answered by Brent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Collision may even make them to destroy
2006-06-17 07:58:11 · answer #7 · answered by R.Nagarajan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
both, but they might also merge to make one entity altogether.
2006-06-17 08:21:44 · answer #8 · answered by chas s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both........
2006-06-17 08:05:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋