Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Michael on 27/09/2011 18:01:03

Title: Could a planet form in the asteroid belt?
Post by: Michael on 27/09/2011 18:01:03

Michael asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Our solar system has got a pretty big asteroid belt, so is it possible to bring some of those asteroids close together, enough that their combined gravitational pull would start gathering other smaller asteroids, and in final effect form a planet in place of the asteroid belt? If yes, how big would it be, and what effect would it have on our solar system?

Keep up the good work with the show (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/),

Michael
Gdansk, Poland

What do you think?

Title: Could a planet form in the asteroid belt?
Post by: Kryptid on 27/09/2011 22:17:26

The total mass of the asteroid belt is less than that of our Moon, so it would be a very small planet. I also think that Jupiter's gravitational influence helps to prevent the asteroids from condensing into a larger body.