ASTRO-110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 27: Sample-Return Mission, Robotic Spacecraft, Gravity Assist
22 Sep 2020
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Document Summary
Dwarf planets are worlds that are large enough to be round but too small to be considered true planets. Contain relatively large portions of ice, allowing for low temperature ice geology. They are likely isolated from other planets meaning tidal heating is unlikely. They have the right ingredients for life. Scientists studied dwarf planets when dawn entered cere"s orbit and when new. Data shows that both ceres and pluto may possess geological activity. However, the dwarf planets are so cold that life seems unlikely. Small bodies seem unlikely to contain life. Too small to have any leftover internal heat that might melt ice. Most of them orbit so far from the sun that they are perpetually frozen. Any melting that occurred would be too short lived to support life. However, asteroids contain the complex molecules necessary to foster life and would have contained liquid water at the beginning of their life.
