Posted on 12/31/2014 8:54:32 AM PST by BenLurkin
For asteroids about 100 meters [328 feet] in diameter collisions are not the primarily cause of break ups rapid rotation is, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory stated.
Moreover, because the rate of collisions depends on the numbers and sizes of objects but rotation does not, their results are in strong disagreement with previous models of collisionally-produced small asteroids.
(Excerpt) Read more at universetoday.com ...
We have such a small sample size that its kind of pointless to say they do or don’t break up in any particular manner.
Its kind of like plucking a grain of sand off a beach and proudly declaring that grains of sand are shaped like this.
But someone wrote their thesis on this, so it must be true/S
That's the problem with most answers in astronomy.
It makes sense that, in space, nothing just falls apart. With no outward force of gravity to pull things apart, relatively small bodies can hold themselves together reasonably well.
Very true.
“Like You Think They Do: “
You don’t know what I think. Don’t presume to know.
If not for them "clowns" we would think that the sun and stars rotate around the earth once a day, that the stars and planets were lanterns in the sky, and comets were atmospheric disturbances. Knowledge and truth are very limited and hard won goods, and our models and theories are constantly being revised and refined.
When scientists speak with certainty unwarranted by the facts or their knowledge (I'm talking to you, Neil) or bend their results to curry political favor or power (Hi, Dr. Mann) they are frauds and charlatans. OTOH, people often demand pat answers and simple explanations. The popular explanations are often the most plausible, stripped of the arguments and observations backing them up and without mention of alternative explanations.
According to Neil Sedaka, breaking up is hard to do.
Rusty Griswold: Hey, ya’ got Pac Man?
Cousin Dale: No.
Rusty Griswold: Ya’ got Space Invaders?
Cousin Dale: Nope.
Rusty Griswold: Ya’ got Asteroids?
Cousin Dale: Naw, but my dad does. Can’t even sit on the toilet some days.
Everybody knows that the big ones break up into two medium size pieces. The medium ones break up into three small pieces. The small pieces vaporize.
And now I know...I know that it’s true
The funny thing is that I didn’t have an opinion on this until after I saw the headline. The headline made me wonder what I was actually supposed to think about asteroid breakup.
It's true. I thought they broke up over coffee, like two mature adults. Sure, there may be some crying, but, in the end, they decide they can still be friends.
Turns out they do it over email, because they are scared of confrontation.
...and the trick is to zap ‘em until there’s only one small piece floating around, and then wait for the flying saucers to come out and pick them off as they appear.
I was ready to accept that what I was supposed to think before isn't the same as what I'm supposed to think now, but after reading your post I don't know WHAT to think.
You should start a band.
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