Asteroid Density and Diameter Plots
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Homework Assignment 2
Asteroid Density and Diameter Plots
64 Pts.
a.
1. (30) The diameter and density of an object can often tell us much about its
composition.
This can also tell us something about where or how it may have originated
within the bounds of our Solar System. Take a look at the list of objects below.
Using
your text and online sites research the diameter (in kilometers) and densities (in gm/cm
3
)
of the asteroids and input the data into an Excel spreadsheet (some of the objects appear
in the tables at the end of the lab but the data for all may be incomplete).
Some data may
be given in a range; if so, please use the average. For comparison, the density of Earth is
about 5.52, Mars is about 3.95, Jupiter is about 1.33 and Saturn is about 0.69.
Using the
functions in Excel, calculate the MIN, MAX, AVERAGE and STDEV for the densities
and diameters. Then use the data create an Excel scatter plot of diameter vs density of the
objects.
Label the x- and y-axes, give the plot a title and save the spreadsheet with plot to
submit with this lab.
I will give you a demonstration in class about the plotting and have
provided two short MiniLectures on the topic to help outside of class.
Based on the plots you create answer the following:
1.
(6) Which are the largest and smallest asteroids (list their diameters too)?
How much
variation is there in the size of all the asteroids listed?
(Think about percent difference
here)
Charon
1,212
Frostia
8.4
There
variation between than
2.
(6) Which are the densest and least dense asteroids (list their densities too)?
How much
variation is there in the densities of the asteroids listed? (Think about percent differences
here.)
Least dense
Halley’s Comet
0.6
4 Vesta 3.44
Starting 300km 90% are in the 400 and 500
3.
(2) Most of the objects listed have a range of densities shown by a +/- value.
This figure
is added or subtracted to
the density listed providing a maximum and minimum value for
the density of the object.
Why do you suppose these objects don’t have specific density
values?
We don’t have enough information
4.
(4) Is/Are there any outliers in this data set?
If so, describe it/them and suggest a reason
for why it/they is/are different.
Is diameter in km Charon
1,212
Density g^3 617 Patroclus 113
Yes, there are two outliers in this data set. Charon has a diameter of 1,212 km, which is
significantly larger than the other objects in the data set, which range from 21 km to 617
km. The density of Patroclus is also very different from the other objects, which have
densities ranging from 0.706 g/cm^3 to 2.7 g/cm^3, while Patroclus' density is only 113
g/cm^3. The reason for this difference could be due to the different composition of
Charon and Patroclus. Charon is likely made of rock and ice, which would account for its
larger size, while Patroclus is likely composed of dust and debris, which would account
for its much lower density.
5.
(4) Is there a correlation between the diameter and density of asteroids?
If so, or if not,
give an example from the data set.
No Charon diameter is
1,212 but the
Density 1.71
6.
(4) What does this suggest about the nature of asteroids? Are they all made of the same
thing?
There is no direct correlation between the diameter and density of asteroids. For
example, Charon has a diameter of 1,212 km but a density of 1.71 g/cm3, which
is much lower than the average density of asteroids. This suggests that asteroids
are not all made of the same material and can vary in terms of their composition.
7.
(4) Do you think this information might suggest anything about where the asteroids
originated within our Solar System?
Why, or why not?
No, there is not a direct correlation between the diameter and density of
asteroids. For example, within the data set, the Charon asteroid has a diameter of
1,212 km, but a density of 1.71 g/cm3. This does not necessarily suggest
anything about where the asteroid originated within our Solar System, as density
values can vary depending on the composition and structure of an asteroid.
8.
(4) Read about the varying characteristics of asteroids in your book and briefly
summarize the information here.
Asteroids are small, rocky bodies that orbit the Sun. They are much smaller than planets
and range in size from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers. They are composed of a
variety of materials, including metals, silicates, and carbon-rich compounds. Most
asteroids are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, although some can
be found in the Kuiper Belt and other regions of the Solar System. Asteroids come in
many shapes and sizes, with some having highly irregular shapes while others are
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nearly round. Depending on the composition, some asteroids may contain large
amounts of metal or ice, while others may contain only rocks and dust. Asteroids often
have a dark surface due to their exposure to space radiation. They can be classified
based on their composition, orbital characteristics, and other features.
Immediately below is the list of objects to use for this homework assignment.
Below this list are
two others that contain
some
of the information you will need to create the database.
You can
find the rest of the info in your book or online.
Asteroid Name
617 Patroclus
854 Frostia
4492 Debussy
15 Eunomia
45 Eugenia
1313 Berna
90 Antiope
253 Mathilde
2000 UG11
87 Sylvia
2000 DP107
762 Pulcova
121 Hermione
16 Psyche
1999 KW4
22 Kalliope
1089 Tama
243 Ida
433 Eros
2 Pallas
11 Parthenope
10 Hygiea
20 Massalia
4 Vesta
704 Interamnia
804 Hispania
3 Juno
Charon
19 Fortuna
107 Camilla
Ceres
Halley’s Comet
This lab based on materials from
http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/DawnClassrooms/light_curves/
Asteroid Densities
Using the information below in the two lists compile the diameter and density data into an Excel
file.
Create a table with three columns labeled Object, Diameter and Density. Each object may
not have both the data needed in the tables, you will have to look up one or the other to complete
the data needed.
Next, create plots for both diameter and density for all the objects in order to
complete the lab.
Asteroid
Density
+/-
1 Ceres
2.12
0.04
2 Pallas
2.71
0.11
4 Vesta
3.44
0.12
10 Hygiea
2.72
1.20
11 Parthenope
2.72
0.12
15 Eunomia
0.96
0.30
16 Psyche
2.00
0.60
20 Massalia
3.26
0.60
22 Kalliope
2.50
0.30
45 Eugenia
1.20
0.40
87 Sylvia
1.62
0.30
90 Antiope
1.30
121 Hermione
1.96
0.34
243 Ida
2.60
0.50
253 Mathilde
1.30
0.20
433 Eros
2.67
0.03
704 Interamnia
4.40
2.10
762 Pulcova
1.80
0.80
804 Hispania
4.90
3.90
1999 KW4
2.39
0.90
2000 DP107
1.62
1.05
2000 UG11
1.47
0.95
854 Frostia
0.89
0.13
1089 Tama
2.52
0.30
1313 Berna
1.21
0.25
4492 Debussy
0.90
0.10
617 Patroclus
0.80
0.15
References:
Britt, D. T.; Yeomans, D.; Housen, K.; Consolmagno, G.
Asteroid Density, Porosity, and Structure
in Asteroids III, W. F. Bottke Jr., A. Cellino, P. Paolicchi, and R. P. Binzel (eds), University of Arizona Press, Tucson,
p.485-500 (2002)
File densbest.tbl obtained from http://www.psi.edu/pds/resource/density.html
Behrend, R. and 48 others
Four new binary minor planets: (854) Frostia, (1089) Tama, (1313) Berna, (4992) Debussy
Astronomy & Astrophysics 446, 1177-1184 (2006)
Marchis, F. and 17 others
A low density of 0.8 g cm^-3 for the Trojan binary asteroid 617 Patroclus Nature 439, 565-567 (2006
http://astrostatistics.psu.edu/datasets/asteroid_dens.html
http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~nowack/geos105/lect19-dir/lecture19.htm
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