Consider the following statements regarding the Kuiper Belt: It revolv...
Astronomers have recently found compelling evidence suggesting the existence of an Earth-like planet in the distant Kuiper Belt of our solar system.
About Kuiper Belt:
- Kuiper belt, also called the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt, is a flat ring of small icy bodies that revolve around the Sun beyond the orbit of the planet Neptune.
- It is named after Gerard Kuiper, a Dutch-American astronomer who hypothesized the existence of such a region in the 1950s.
- There are millions of these icy objects, collectively referred to as Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) or trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), in this belt.
- The Kuiper Belt is a region of leftovers from the solar system's early history.
- It is thought to be the source of most of the observed short-period comets, particularly those that orbit the Sun in less than 20 years.
- Composition: The Kuiper Belt is primarily composed of small icy bodies, such as dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets.
- Pluto:
- Pluto, once considered the ninth planet in our solar system, is one of the most well-known Kuiper Belt objects.
- In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet, partly because of its location within the Kuiper Belt.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.
Consider the following statements regarding the Kuiper Belt: It revolv...
The correct answer is option 'B' - Statement 2 only.
Kuiper Belt:
The Kuiper Belt is a region of the solar system that lies beyond the orbit of Neptune, extending from about 30 to 50 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. It is named after Dutch astronomer Gerard Kuiper, who predicted its existence in 1951. The Kuiper Belt is a disc-shaped region and is home to numerous small celestial bodies, including dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets.
Explanation of Statements:
1) "It revolves around the Sun near the orbit of the planet Mercury."
This statement is incorrect. The Kuiper Belt is located beyond the orbit of Neptune, which is much farther from the Sun than the orbit of Mercury. Mercury is the innermost planet in our solar system, and its orbit is much closer to the Sun compared to the Kuiper Belt.
2) "It is primarily composed of dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets."
This statement is correct. The Kuiper Belt is primarily composed of icy bodies, including dwarf planets like Pluto, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake. It also contains a large number of small icy objects known as Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), which can include asteroids and comets. These objects are remnants from the early formation of the solar system and provide valuable insights into its history and evolution.
Significance of the Kuiper Belt:
The Kuiper Belt is of great scientific interest as it contains objects that have remained relatively unchanged since the formation of the solar system over 4.6 billion years ago. Studying the composition, structure, and dynamics of these objects helps scientists understand the processes that led to the formation and evolution of planets and other celestial bodies. The discovery of numerous dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt, such as Pluto, has also led to a reclassification of what constitutes a planet and has expanded our understanding of the solar system.
In conclusion, the correct statement regarding the Kuiper Belt is statement 2 - "It is primarily composed of dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets." The statement 1 - "It revolves around the Sun near the orbit of the planet Mercury" is incorrect.