Showing 20 articles starting at article 1381
Categories: Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology, Space: The Solar System
Published Dwarf planet Haumea shines with crystalline ice
(via sciencedaily.com) The fifth dwarf planet of the solar system, Haumea, and at least one of its two satellites, are covered in crystalline water-ice due to the tidal forces between them and the heat of radiogenic elements, according to an international research study using observations from the VLT telescope at the European Southern Observatory in Chile.
Published New telescope is exploring solar system 'outback'
(via sciencedaily.com) In the outer reaches of our solar system lies a mysterious region far more remote and difficult to explore than the Australian outback. It remains the only part of our solar system not visited by spacecraft. A new telescope has begun to virtually explore the solar system outback, and already is scoring discoveries.
Published Neptune could not have knocked planetoids in Cold Classical Kuiper Belt to edge of solar system
(via sciencedaily.com) New research is challenging popular theory about how part of our solar system formed. Contrary to popular belief, new evidence suggests the planet Neptune can't have knocked a collection of planetoids known as the Cold Classical Kuiper Belt to its current location at the edge of the solar system.
Published Planet-like object found circling a brown dwarf
(via sciencedaily.com) As our telescopes grow more powerful, astronomers are uncovering objects that defy conventional wisdom. The latest example is the discovery of a planet-like object circling a brown dwarf. It's the right size for a planet, estimated to be 5-10 times the mass of Jupiter. But the object formed in less than 1 million years -- the approximate age of the brown dwarf -- and much faster than the predicted time it takes to build planets according to some theories.
Published Spot Discovered On Dwarf Planet Haumea Shows Up Red And Rich With Organics
(via sciencedaily.com) A dark red area discovered on the dwarf planet Haumea appears to be richer in minerals and organic compounds than the surrounding icy surface.
Published Fifth Dwarf Planet Named Haumea
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The International Astronomical Union has announced that the object previously known as 2003 EL61 is to be classified as the fifth dwarf planet in the Solar System and named Haumea. This now means that the family of dwarf planets in the Solar System is up to five.
Published 'Plutoid' Chosen As Name For Solar System Objects Like Pluto
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The International Astronomical Union has decided on the term plutoid as a name for dwarf planets like Pluto at a meeting of its Executive Committee in Oslo. Almost two years after the IAU General Assembly introduced the category of dwarf planets, the IAU, as promised, has decided on a name for transneptunian dwarf planets similar to Pluto.
Published Dwarf Planet Eris Is More Massive Than Pluto
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Aptly named after the Greek goddess of conflict, the icy dwarf planet, Eris, has rattled the general model of our solar system. The object was discovered by astronomer Mike Brown of Caltech in the outer reaches of the Kuiper belt in 2005. Adding insult to injury for the former ninth planet, Brown has now determined that Eris is also more massive than Pluto.