Moons, Asteroids, Comets and Impacts Flashcards
How do outer planets like Jupiter impact Earth?
They disturb orbits, leading to meteorite impacts on Earth which have caused mass extinctions and influence climate.
Why is understanding interactions within the solar system crucial for Earth?
These interactions affect Earth’s energy, climate, life, and matter, influencing its habitability.
What types of celestial objects are found beyond planets in the solar system?
Over 150 moons, about 100 billion asteroids between Mars and Jupiter, and comets with icy bodies and rocky cores.
What insights do moons provide about planetary formation and habitability?
Moons have varying surfaces and activities, indicating different formation processes and potential for life.
Where do many of the outer planets’ moons likely originate from?
The Kuiper Belt, which extends beyond Neptune, and possibly the Oort Cloud.
What are the main hypotheses about the Moon’s origin?
Capture Hypothesis, Fission Hypothesis, and Giant Impact Hypothesis, with the latter being most supported.
Why is the Giant Impact Hypothesis favored for the Moon’s formation?
It explains the Moon’s late formation, composition, orbit, and similarities to Earth’s materials.
What role do impacts play in shaping planetary surfaces?
Impacts create craters, heat, and shock waves, providing insight into the history and age of surfaces.
How does Earth’s atmosphere affect impact evidence?
It influences impact dynamics and preservation of evidence, unlike the Moon’s surface which records impacts comprehensively.
What evidence supports the Late Heavy Bombardment (LHB) hypothesis?
Lunar samples showing clustered impact ages and solar system models suggesting planetary migrations causing a new flux of impactors.
How does tidal friction affect the Earth-Moon system?
Causes the Moon to move away from Earth, lengthening days and affecting tides and geological records.
What are the potential dangers of future impacts?
They pose significant threats to human civilization, with impacts causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
What sources contribute to potential future impacts on Earth?
Near-Earth objects (NEOs), and objects from the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud, which pose ongoing threats due to their perturbed orbits.
What are the challenges in defending against potential impacts?
Current technology is inadequate for intercepting incoming objects, especially from the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud with little warning time.
