Cancelled Small bodies, big insights: Exploring the role of minor planets in the solar system

by Dr. Uri Malamud

Technion

at Astrophysics and Cosmology Seminar

Wed, 08 Jan 2025, 11:10
Sacta-Rashi Building for Physics (54), room 207

Abstract

Small bodies in our solar system — such as asteroids, comets and minor
planets — may be diminutive in size, but their impact on our
understanding of planetary science is vast. This seminar delves into the
critical roles these celestial objects play in illuminating the history,
structure, and ongoing evolution of the solar system. By integrating
theoretical models, experimental studies and observational data, we gain
insights into the internal structure and surface activity of these
bodies, which are shaped by ancient collisional processes and
transformed by subsequent thermal and dynamical histories. Their
trajectories and potential for Earth impact also underline the urgency
of tracking and understanding them to mitigate the hazard they pose for
life — a responsibility that now falls on the shoulders of humanity as
the guardians of Earth and its diverse ecosystems. Additionally, small
bodies are remnants from the solar system’s formation, serving as time
capsules that hold critical clues about the early materials and
mechanisms that shaped the giant planets. The seminar briefly explores
the interconnected narrative of these small bodies, opening a window to
both our past and our future.

Created on 02-01-2025 by Zitrin, Adi (zitrin)
Updaded on 08-01-2025 by Zitrin, Adi (zitrin)