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Re: An uncomplicated question
- To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com
- Subject: Re: An uncomplicated question
- From: mra@printwareinc.com (Mark Abbott)
- Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 11:17:18 -0600
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- Resent-Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 12:15:34 -0500 (EST)
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Here is what I had sent to JJSwain before (i was caught by how this list
has configured the reply-to address)
At 09:53 AM 1/22/87 -0500, you wrote:
>Is it the consensus of this group that the Asteroid Belt is a former
>planet having undergone a catastrophic hit or other calamity? And,
>subsequently, if so, why the name 'asteroid' is preferred to
>'planetoid' which would be far more accurate, no? Regards, jj
>
>
My understanding is that the asteroid belt is material that never was able
to coallesce into a planet, mainly due to the disruptions caused by
Jupiter. If memory serves, the total mass of the asteroid belt also
wouldn't add up to enough to really call it a planet anyway (but this is
one of those vaguely remembered interesting facts, so I may be wrong there).
The name 'aster'oid is a historical vestige, since they appeared to be
point sources, just like stars ('aster'=star).
Mark Abbott
Printware, Inc.
1270 Eagan Industrial Road
Eagan, MN 55121
Phone: (612) 456-1473
E-mail: mra@printwareinc.com