Solar Systems Around Dead Suns? Apr 20, 2009
The data suggest that at least 1% to 3% of white dwarf stars are contaminated in this way and that the dust originates from rocky bodies like asteroids (also known as minor planets). In our Solar System, minor planets are the left over building blocks of the rocky terrestrial planets like the Earth ... This backs up the team s hypothesis that the dust disks around white dwarfs are produced by tidally disrupted minor planets. (Science Daily)
400 years of the telescope Apr 8, 2009
Subsequent telescopic observations disproved the widely held belief that Earth was the center of the universe; rather, our planet is one of eight major bodies that orbit the sun with a congregation of other objects that include minor planets, asteroids and comets. Related material. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Immortality in a glacier, an asteroid, even a snail Jan 28, 2008
" Not much escapes the night watches of di Cicco, senior editor at Sky cope magazine and a mechanical engineer by training. Using 11- and 16-inch telescopes, he's made his backyard one of astronomy's top sites in terms of discoveries of so-called "minor planets," also known as asteroids. He's officially tagged 56 of the space rocks, with several more awaiting formal status from the International Astronomical Union. In keeping with stargazing tradition, however, it's an asteroid that di Cicco... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
What's in a name? Jan 21, 2008
Using 11- and 16-inch telescopes, he's made his back yard one of astronomy's top sites in terms of discoveries of so-called "minor planets," aka asteroids. He's officially tagged 56 of the space rocks, with several more awaiting formal status from the International Astronomical Union. (Boston Globe)
* Minor planet officially named `Chiayi' Oct 17, 2007
University vice president Ip Wing-huen (j) said the observatory started its "Lulin Sky Survey," a systematic scouting project, in March last year, and that more than 450 minor planets have been discovered so far. The university will spend about NT$130 million (US$3. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
`Set up system to warn asteroids hitting Earth` Sep 28, 2007
5 lakh minor planets and approximately 4,500 near earth objects (NEOs) orbiting near our planet. "And everytime an asteroid has flown near the earth, we have come to know only when it has passed by," he said. (Zee News)
Powered by ions Sep 28, 2007
As it heads toward encounters with two minor planets (Vesta and Ceres), Dawn will be carrying some major hardware features that include the most powerful electrical system and propulsion system ever installed on an interplanetary spacecraft ... So all in all, even though it is a mission to the minor planets, theres nothing minor about this spacecraft, or about the expected science discoveries on its targets, these remnants of the raw material from the birth of the solar system. (MSNBC -- Technology)
How to land a spacecraft on an asteroid Jul 31, 2007
Along with the lunar mission, the space agency is investigating the possibility of using its future crew navigation vehicle for missions to an asteroid, which could help scientists better understand the minor planets or assist in eventually getting humans to Mars. Over the last six months, NASA studied how it might modify its own lunar vehicle for trips to NEOs and found that it was feasible, according to David Morrison, a senior scientist in NASA's Astrobiology Institute. (USA Today -- Tech)
Is a New Moon News? Jul 26, 2007
These are 'minor planets' and the very name makes them un-newsworthy, but they were once counted among the planets. Some similar effect will hit when the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, etc. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Dawn's two cosmic targets: Vesta and Ceres Jul 6, 2007
Large, rocky bodies that orbit the sun are known as asteroids or minor planets ... But, third, the body must not have swept clean the neighborhood around its orbit -- which is the feature that distinguishes these minor planets from their bigger siblings. (Spaceflight Now)
NASA flight to Vesta, Ceres to run on exotic ion power Jul 5, 2007
Ceres and Vesta are the two largest and brightest "minor planets" in the solar system. When Ceres was discovered in 1801, astronomers at first thought it was a new planet. (SunSpot.net)
Bouligny captures international awards May 31, 2007
"All minor planets (the new name for asteroids) named in the Ceres Connection program have been discovered by the Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program. Hopefully his will stay in orbit and not head towards the earth!". Advertisement. (New Iberia, LA)
Lutetia Asteroid In Rosetta's Spotlight Jan 27, 2007
-- Asteroids, also called minor planets or planetoids, are a class of astronomical object. The term asteroid is generally used to indicate a diverse group of small celestial bodies that drift in the. (Science Daily)
