2007-10-29 16:13:22 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Probably disruptions caused by the gravitational pull of Jupiter.
2007-10-29 16:16:43 · answer #1 · answered by Howard H 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Total mass of the asteroid belt is 4% of the mass of the moon.
If there ever was a planet there, it is gone. What's left is bread crumbs.
However... Vesta, Ceres, Pallas and Hygiea are large enough (hundreds of miles) to have substantial gravity. Certainly enough to make them technically interesting objects to land on (not to mention for science).
2007-10-29 18:51:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some theorize that the asteroid belt was a planet that disintegrated some time ago. Scientists think they are finding water molecules and even amino acids on several of those asteroids. who knows.
2007-10-29 18:11:56 · answer #3 · answered by Dr.Jiffy -Uber-Rodent- 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not enough mass, and chaotic effect caused by Jupiter gravitational pull.
2007-10-29 23:03:57 · answer #4 · answered by seed of eternity 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋