Astronomy Picture of the Day 7-24-02

NASA ^ | 7-24-02 | Robert Nemiroff and Jerry Bonnell

[petuniasevan]

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2002 July 24

Our Busy Solar System
Credit & Copyright: MPC, CBAT, Harvard CfA, IAU

Explanation: Our Solar System is a busy place. Although the major planets get the most press, a swarm of rocks, comets, and asteroids also exist. The above plot shows the placement of known inner Solar System objects on 2002 July 20. The light blue lines indicate the orbits of planets. The green dots indicate asteroids, officially known as minor planets. The red dots indicate asteroids that come within 1.3 Earth-Sun distances (AU) of the Sun and so pose an increased (although small) collision risk with the Earth. Comets appear as dark blue squares, while dark blue points are Jupiter Trojans, asteroids that orbit just ahead of, or just behind Jupiter. Note that most asteroids of the inner Solar System orbit between Mars and Jupiter in the main asteroid belt. Every day this plot shifts with objects nearer the Sun typically shifting the most. The current locations of these objects can be found here.

[petuniasevan]

Yes, the outermost ring is Jupiter's orbit. Click on the photo for the BIG chart (easier to see detail).

Astronomy Fun Fact:

Astronomers assign asteroids to groups depending on their orbits. We all know the Asteroid Belt, but there are also the Jupiter Trojans, the Atens, the Apollos, the Amors, the Centaurs, etc.

Atens, Apollos, and Amors are Near Earth Asteroids. Atens approach Earth's orbit from the inside, Apollos cross Earth's orbit, and Amors approach Earth's orbit from the outside. Centaurs orbit between Saturn and Neptune (yes I know Uranus is in there too).

Get on the APOD PING list!

[petuniasevan]

APOD PING!

[2Trievers]

Kinda, sorta looks like my last shooting target from the range with my .357. &;-)

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks, bump !

[MeekOneGOP]

hehehe

[2Trievers]

Are you laughing at my "Annie Oakley" abilities or was that a giggle laced with a little respect ... no, you don't have to genuflect MM ... that's OK. &;-)

[MeekOneGOP]

hehehe Don't shoot, I'm just the piano player! lol !

[2Trievers]

Hugs MnM ... 2T &;-)

[RightWhale]

Your trigger finger is pulling the muzzle downward. Try to pull straight back. Perhaps shift the palm of your hand a little higher on the back of the grips. Practice, practice, practice.

[2Trievers]

If you only knew ... LOL &;-)

[RightWhale]

That's pretty interesting to wannabe asteroid miners. We will have to get out beyond the orbit of Mars to get into the mass of the good stuff, although there are probably a few plums close in. First one there wins, don't be late.

[headsonpikes]

This photo makes me a little more nervous.

Great. Just what I needed. ;^)

[MeekOneGOP]

Nice pic. Thanks.

[DiamondDon1]

Thanks for the post...

[sleavelessinseattle]

Although its tough with wheelguns, you can isolate the trigger finger by only using the tippy tip against the trigger rather than inserting the whole pad in the guard. Its a bad way to go for defensive training though! With that group, you'd do fine against an invading space alien...question is, can you draw and put five in that group in 3 seconds, wearing street clothes? Practice with an empty gun and dry fire using all range safety rules! Earth is counting on YOU Space Rangerette!

[2Trievers]

"can you draw and put five in that group in 3 seconds, wearing street clothes"

Not with the holster I have ... what was that holster you recommended? &;-)

[martin_fierro]

WATCH THE SKIES!

<|:)~

[martin_fierro]

Somehow, I just knew you'd give this thread a "shot". <|:)~

[2Trievers]

Is that because I am paranormal, alien, or maybe a space puppy?

Don't answer that! &;-)

Actually I'm here almost every day, hoping some of the smarts from the likes of 'tunia, RightWhale and Sleavester will rub off on me! Besides, it'll look good on my resume when I graduate from FReepville High...

[sleavelessinseattle]

Hey ain't them flyin' things the experimental planes that kilt John Denver? I think that photo's been Doctored! This is a SERIOUS Astronomy page, mister!