2006-08-17 14:38:59 · 4 answers · asked by JACKZACK 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
well xena is the now that is probably gonna become a planet along with charon and ceres, sedna is just another TNOs in the outer solar system.
2006-08-18 04:23:24 · answer #1 · answered by Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well for one thing, the Smithsonian Astrophysics guys proposed last year that Sedna might be captured extra-solar planet. The idea is that a near miss between our solar system and another occurred sometime shortly after planetary formation; the gravitational tug-of-war that ensued resulted in the catastrophic events (like various collisions) that flipped Venus upside down, yanked Pluto into it's odd orbit, etc., AND permitted out sun to capture one of the other system's planets--Sedna.
The reason for this hypothesis is that Sedna appears to be (next to Mars) the reddest thing the system, denser than expected, and thus may be "terrestrial" in composition. This is still not entirely verified, so don't rush to the press office just yet! There are conflicting measurements that challenge this view. Even if the hypothesis is proved wrong, then for the time being anyway, it's a sexy idea!
2006-08-17 22:23:51 · answer #2 · answered by stevenB 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sedna
2006-08-17 21:45:26 · answer #3 · answered by 2Hott2Touch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Xena is much bigger,orbits farther out,and doesn't have an official name.
2006-08-17 21:45:30 · answer #4 · answered by That one guy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋