Asteroids are small, large, large: names, sizes. The largest asteroid in the solar system

Asteroids are very dangerous formation for the Earth. And what is their danger, as well as the characterization of some types of asteroids in the article.

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In this article we will consider our solar system in more detail. Namely, let's talk about asteroids.

The origin of the asteroids

Asteroids of the solar system are cold stone objects formed as a result of attraction of dense gas and dust. Their movement is carried out in orbit around the Sun. These small planets have the wrong shape and reach 30 m in length.

In the process of movement, asteroids reflect the light of the sun and thanks to this, they can be seen in the telescope as shining points similar to stars. Some of the asteroids are moved by groups, the so -called families. They are formed from one small planet due to its collision.

There are several dozen such families. The main part of them is concentrated between the planets of Mars and Jupiter. The distribution of asteroids occurred under the gravitational effect of Jupiter. The speed of the asteroid rotation is much higher than that of the planets.

Top 10 asteroids: names, sizes, the largest asteroid in the solar system

The opening of the first asteroids falls at the beginning of the 19th century. The found small planets were historically recorded and classified at the Astronomical Institute in Berlin. Each heavenly body was investigated and called an interesting name.

Scientists have opted for the names of various ancient gods and outstanding people. It was found that the total mass of all asteroids of the solar system is less than the mass of the moon. The temperature indicator of small planets depends on the effects of solar heat and stellar background.

The brightness of the asteroids, the visibility he gives, remains during a short time and may disappear in a couple of hours. Each year, at least 10 new asteroids open. Currently, scientists have modernized telescopes with many improved functions. They allow you to detect asteroids at very long distances from the Earth and prevent a possible threat in a few months.

Asteroids have different compositions. Depending on the prevailing substances, they are divided into different groups:

Carbon. Group C. Carbon small planets are the most common type. They have a reddish tint and consist of simple carbon compounds. Such asteroids have a dark image and are visible only with the help of a telescope.
Silicon. Group S. Silicon small bodies consist mainly of iron and magnesium. The largest asteroids belong to this type.
Iron. Group X. Iron Small planets have a large concentration of metals, as well as nickel and iron. The composition of this type is still little studied and studied to the present. There is an assumption that iron cosmic bodies are part of the core of large asteroids split from the collision.

In the spatial arrangement of asteroids, one feature is noticed - the simpler the mineral composition of the small planet, the further from the sun it is. The first detected bodies were called female names borrowed from the gods of ancient mythology.

Consider the largest asteroids of the solar system:

Ceres.The opening of the first asteroid occurred in 1801 by the Italian astronomer Giuseppe Piazzi. In further scientific history, it turned out that it was the largest asteroid in the solar system. He was named after the goddess of fertility of the ancient Rome Ceres. From other large small planets, it is distinguished by the correct spherical form. Thanks to its external characteristics, for several decades, scientists considered it a planet of the solar system. Its diameter reaches 950 m. The size of the asteroid compared to the moon is 3 times smaller and 6000 times less than the Earth. The ceremar is a large cluster of ice masses. In terms of volume, they surpass the entire fresh water of the Earth. The trajectory of the movement of the largest asteroid in relation to the Earth is closest to all other small planets. Cerera is considered by scientists as an ideal base for the study of other cosmic bodies. Asteroid has a very small strength, which contributes to a comfortable landing of spaceships. On the surface of this small planet there is a cryovolcanch of about 5 km high. This mountain was called Akhun Mons.
Pallas.This asteroid was discovered by the second. Initially, he was considered a star, later classified as small planets. The diameter of this body is 532 km. Asteroid has a large amount of silicon. The name for this asteroid is taken from the history of the ancient Greeks, and later it became the original source for the name of the chemical element of palladium.
Found the second
Vesta.It is named after the goddess of ancient Rome, the keeper of the hearth. This cosmic body leads by its mass. Asteroid diameter 530 km. Asteroid has a metal core. Its bark is covered with a special type of rocky breed, which allows to reflect a much large amount of sunlight. Thanks to this feature, the asteroid is clearly visible to the telescope. On the surface of Vesta, a trace of a powerful blow with another cosmic body has been left. A crater with a recess of up to 50 km and up to 500 km in diameter. The temperature indicator on this asteroid reaches 100 ° C below 0.
Vesta and Cerera
GIGEYA.The diameter of this cosmic body reaches 407 km. This asteroid is very poorly visible, so he did not attract attention and was noticed later than the rest. At the most close location to the ground, it is visible in binoculars. Asteroid was named after the ancient Greek goddess of health.
GIGEYA
Interemony. This asteroid has a weak reflective ability, therefore it is a little -studied object. Its diameter is 326 km. The form of asteroid is still being studied. Its distinctive feature is a large angle of inclination of the orbit. The name of Intersonia had several cities in ancient Italy.
Europe. This asteroid attracts the attention of its elongated orbit. The diameter of a small planet is more than 300 km. The structure of this body has a high porosity with a high content of carbon compounds. He needs 5-6 years to commit a turn around the Earth.
David.Its name comes from the male name of Professor David Todd. The indicators of its diameter range from 270 to 350 km. On its surface there is a deep crater.
Silvia.Asteroid has a very porous structure. The integrity of its structure is supported by gravitational properties. Asteroid has two satellite visits. Designated by the name of the ancient Roman goddess Sylvia Rea, the mother of the founders of Rome. This small planet has an oblong shape and fast rotation speed. The diameter of the cosmic body is more than 230 km.
Silvia
Hector.This asteroid has an elongated disproportionate form. It contains a large number of rocky rocks and ice. It is named after the Greek leader participating in the Trojan War. One of the few asteroids having its own companion.
Asteroid with disproportionate form
Euphrosin.The diameter of this body is more than 250 km. His movement is characterized by rapid rotation, which contributed to its elongated form. Named after the goddess of the fun of ancient Greece.

Asteroid family

Famies of asteroids are of particular interest among scientific researchers. Numerous objects of families have many identical signs. There is an assumption that in the process of movement, participants in families collide among themselves, turning small objects into dust. Thus, the quantitative composition is constantly changing.

For example, the flora family includes more than 800 objects. The EOS family consists of more than 4,000 participants. Long dust tails, consisting of the smallest particles of encountered asteroids, are also clearly visible. Asteroid dust in combination with cosmic components form a weakly expressed radiance in space.

The most dangerous asteroids

Thanks to modern research, the probability of a collision of the Earth with an asteroid is very small. Scientists identify several asteroids, which with each new turnover approach the ground.

Asteroid Apophis. Its mass is 27 million tons. With each new turn, his orbit is approaching the ground.
Asteroid duend. An object weighing more than 40 tons. In 2013, his long close arrangement to the ground was recorded. Its further maneuvering is unpredictable.
Crimean asteroid. A space body weighing 89 million tons. It is considered one of the most dangerous asteroids. In the scientific world, the calculations of the orbit of this asteroid are difficult.

Interesting facts about asteroids

The bodies of asteroids store many mysteries and interesting facts. Curious facts about asteroids:

It is scientifically assumed that the fall of an asteroid caused a global catastrophe, as a result of which a large number of representatives of the animal world died out.
More than 150 asteroids move along their trajectory, accompanied by a satellite.
The first study of the asteroid using the spacecraft took place in 2001.
The main number of asteroids have a disproportionate shape and porous structure.
Asteroids with a diameter of at least 10 km can be dangerous for the Earth.

Heavyness of the asteroids gives the metal composition.
The names of asteroids have ancient Greek roots.
Among the calendar events on June 30, it is considered the day of the asteroid. This date is dedicated to the fall of the Tunguska meteorite.
In the future, asteroids are considered as sources of minerals.
The study of the composition of the soil of asteroids prove the contacting of asteroids with water and organic compounds.
About 170 craters formed as a result of the fall of celestial bodies were recorded on the earth's surface. According to scientific statistics, once every 100 years there is a fall in the space object.

Modern study of asteroids

The study of asteroids is an integral part of the study of the solar system, which allows you to study their character and behavior. Tracking changes in space bodies, scientists exclude a possible danger.

There are 3 ways to collect information about space bodies:

Telescopic observation from the Earth
Images of spacecraft
Analysis of the composition of asteroids

Scientists have developed effective ways to prevent a collision of an asteroid with the ground. A strategy has been developed to change the trajectory of asteroid movement using a collision with a spacecraft. This method is really applicable thanks to a modernized missile and space technique.

As an alternative method, it is proposed to destroy an asteroid by destroying it on small fragments. Achieving such a result is possible when exposed to asteroid of the strongest nuclear blow. In this case, there is a danger of passing the permissible line with split parts.

For the destruction of relatively small space objects, laser effect on asteroid is considered. In 2016, scientists registered more than 150 asteroids approaching the orbit of the Earth. Currently, the United States is developing a project to create an asteroid fighter requiring significant investments.