AST 101
Problem Set
Why are asteroids and comets important to our understanding of solar system history?
Asteroids and comets are important to our understanding of solar system history because they have not
undergone any chemical changes like other celestial bodies.
Vesta is unusual as it contains what mineral on its surface? What does the presence of this material
indicate?
Vesta’s surface contains basalt, which indicates the presence of past volcanic activity.
Describe the two types of comet tails and how each are formed.
Ion Tail:
Straight, made of ionized gas carried outward by streams of ions (charged particles) emitted by
the Sun.
Dust Tail:
Brightest part of the tail, curves as individual dust particles go into orbit around the Sun.
What classification is given to objects such as Pluto and Eris, which are large enough to be round, and
whose orbits lie beyond that of Neptune?
Pluto and Eris are classified as dwarf planets, and are considered trans Neptunian objects.
Give brief descriptions of both the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud.
Kuiper Belt:
Large area of space beyond Neptune that is also the source of many comets.
Oort Cloud:
The reservoir of ancient icy objects from which such comets are derived, further than the
Kuiper belt.
