2007-01-06 09:41:40 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
We now know about a hundred other solar systems. They are, perhaps, not typical, because the methods used to find them selectively find big planets near the star.
One conclusion from these other solar systems is that the formation of planets has a big random, chaotic component. Planets form out of flat, regular protoplanetary disks, but once they form there is a period of chaos in which the planets can migrate and interact and collide. This happens as the planets are forming and as the gas in the protoplanetary disks is getting cleared out. So where the planets wind up in the end depends on a lot of complex, chaotic interactions that are not predictable.
In our Solar System, we are lucky that Jupiter didn't migrate inwards and wipe out all the inner planets.
The asteroid belt is in a place where the asteroids can maintain long-term stable orbits without being chaotically perturbed by the current planets. Other asteroids, in other places in the Solar system, were cleared out by perturbations long ago.
2007-01-06 10:32:22 · answer #1 · answered by cosmo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also tend to believe with a couple of other answers which state it may have been a planet that was somehow destroyed. If you use own known methods of calculating gravity between the planets, there should be a planet exactly where the asteroid belt is. But funnily enough, these same methods of calculating gravity also state the Moon should not be in the orbit it currently uses when orbiting Earth. It might sound strange but it is true !
2007-01-07 04:24:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best theory at the moment is that it used to be a planet.
This was predicted by astronomers centurys ago, but no planet was found.
Current thinking suggests the planet was destroyed by an asteroid or 2nd planet in the same orbit. Leaving behind the asteroid belt. It has been kept in its position by the gravities of Jupiter and the sun.
2007-01-06 17:59:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just to set the record straight, Jay has it right.
Kepler's Laws say that a planet should have been there, but it wasn't. The big bully Jupiter's gravitational field prevented it by breaking up large masses by tidal forces.
He was a bully as a god also. . .
2007-01-06 18:09:30 · answer #4 · answered by Walking Man 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually they are the part of a ''could be'' planet.all planets are made of such ''asteroids'' but powerful gravitational force of Jupiter didn't let those asteroid to ''gather'' and form a planet.So,they couldn't form a planet and started orbiting Jupiter.
2007-01-06 17:47:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Martians and Jupiterians just don't get along with each other. It was agreed that building a wall between them was the only solution, but unfortunately the contract was awarded to Multiplex.
They'll finish it one day, maybe...
2007-01-06 17:47:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
To keep Saturn's rings from falling down around Uranus.
2007-01-09 02:24:41 · answer #7 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the remains of that dang planet that all the Scientology's believe their alien souls came from
2007-01-06 17:46:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
beats me!
2007-01-06 17:43:41 · answer #9 · answered by ThissGUURLL 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Damn good question....
2007-01-06 17:44:01 · answer #10 · answered by travelimits 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋