SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -Early in the history of the solar system, the gravity of newly formed Jupiter brought an end to the formation of planetary bodies in this region and caused the small bodies to collide with one another, fragmenting them into the asteroids we observe today.

Detailed explanation-2: -In the region between Mars and Jupiter, it appears that one or more planets could have formed, but the gravity from Jupiter kept pulling things apart. Instead of forming a single planet, the material in this region was only ever able to form into asteroid-sized objects.

Detailed explanation-3: -Within the asteroid belt are relatively empty regions known as Kirkwood gaps. These gaps correspond to orbital resonances with Jupiter. The gas giant’s gravitational pull keeps these regions far emptier than the rest of the belt. In other resonances, the asteroids can be more concentrated.

Detailed explanation-4: -It turns out, though, that nearby Jupiter prevented the asteroids from clumping together to make a planet. Its powerful gravity stirred things up so much that when asteroids hit each other, instead of sticking together, they blasted each other apart.

Detailed explanation-5: -Jupiter’s gravity, through the influence of orbital resonances, stirred up asteroid orbits and thereby prevented their accretion into a planet. How are meteorites related to asteroids?