Small planet solar system
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Small Planet Solar System: Insights from Recent Research
Understanding Small Solar System Bodies (SSSBs)
Composition and Structure of SSSBs
Small Solar System Bodies (SSSBs), such as asteroids and comets, are crucial for understanding the origin, formation, and evolution of our Solar System. These bodies are often composed of gravitational aggregates, or "rubble piles," which have low internal cohesion and varying surface properties1. The study of SSSBs involves multidisciplinary approaches, including soil mechanics, granular dynamics, and celestial mechanics, to analyze their physical properties and behaviors1.
Space Missions Targeting SSSBs
Recent space missions like Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx have been pivotal in collecting samples from asteroids, providing valuable data for scientific analysis1. These missions aim to enhance our understanding of SSSBs' composition and contribute to planetary defense strategies against near-Earth objects (NEOs)1. The DART mission, for instance, is set to test kinetic impact techniques to mitigate potential asteroid threats1.
Discovery of Small Exoplanets
Kepler-37b: A Sub-Mercury-Sized Exoplanet
The discovery of Kepler-37b, a planet smaller than Mercury, highlights the diversity of planetary systems beyond our own. This exoplanet, orbiting the star Kepler-37, is rocky with no atmosphere, similar to Mercury, and represents the smallest planet detected to date2.
Kepler-62 System: Small Habitable Planets
The Kepler-62 system includes five planets, with two—Kepler-62e and Kepler-62f—residing in the habitable zone where liquid water could exist. These planets are smaller than twice the size of Earth, making them significant candidates in the search for habitable worlds3.
GJ 1061: A Compact Multi-Terrestrial Planet System
The RedDots campaign discovered three small planets orbiting the nearby M dwarf star GJ 1061. These planets, with masses ranging from 1.4 to 1.8 Earth masses, are in close orbital periods, with one potentially lying within the habitable zone9. This system provides an excellent opportunity for studying the atmospheres and compositions of small, rocky exoplanets9.
Challenges in Observing Distant Small Bodies
Observational Difficulties
Observing small, distant bodies in the Solar System, such as dwarf planets and other SSSBs, poses significant challenges. Even with the largest optical telescopes, these objects often appear as faint, star-like dots, making it difficult to resolve surface details10. This is particularly true for distant objects like Eris, which, despite being potentially larger than Pluto, remains challenging to observe due to its distance10.
Conclusion
The study of small planets and SSSBs is essential for advancing our understanding of planetary formation and evolution. Space missions and advanced observational techniques continue to provide valuable data, revealing the diverse nature of these celestial bodies. As research progresses, we can expect to uncover more about the intricate details of small planets both within and beyond our Solar System.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Small Solar System Bodies as granular media
Small Solar System Bodies (SSSBs) are better understood through granular mechanics theories, as they consist of gravitational aggregates with no internal cohesion and can sustain plastic deformation without disruption.
A sub-Mercury-sized exoplanet
Kepler-37b, a sub-Mercury-sized exoplanet, is likely rocky and without atmosphere or water, similar to Mercury, orbiting a Sun-like star.
Highly CitedKepler-62: A Five-Planet System with Planets of 1.4 and 1.6 Earth Radii in the Habitable Zone
Kepler-62 is a five-planet system with two small planets in the habitable zone of its star, Kepler-62e and -62f, which could be solid, either rocky or composed of mostly solid water in their bulk.
Highly CitedA NEARBY M STAR WITH THREE TRANSITING SUPER-EARTHS DISCOVERED BY K2
Three small planets orbiting a bright M0 dwarf have been discovered using K2, demonstrating the ability of space-based transit searches to find interesting objects.
Highly CitedThe HARPS survey for southern extra-solar planets. II. A 14 Earth-masses exoplanet around μ Arae
A 14 Earth-mass exoplanet has been discovered orbiting the star mu Ara, with a mass slightly smaller than Uranus, and may be considered an ice giant or super-earth planet depending on core-accretion and migration models.
Highly CitedBuilding the terrestrial planets: Constrained accretion in the inner Solar System
No accretion model has successfully reproduced all observed constraints in the inner Solar System, with some configurations producing water-rich Earths but not Mars, and others failing to reproduce Mars' small size.
Highly CitedAn Earth-Sized Planet in the Habitable Zone of a Cool Star
Kepler-186f, a roughly Earth-sized planet, is in the habitable zone of a cool star, potentially allowing liquid water on its surface if it has an Earth-like atmosphere and water at its surface.
Highly CitedGrowing the terrestrial planets from the gradual accumulation of submeter-sized objects
The VSPA model, which also explains the small size of Mars and low mass of the asteroid belt, can explain the basic structure of our solar system, including a small Mars and low-mass asteroid belt.
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