by Theodore R Frimet

burn baby, burn

K2 kicked up a sand storm this morning. She wandered in and started cursing me out. Why, or why did you click on the Astronomy posts in Linked-In? You should be reading Sidereal Times, old sport!

Evidently, reading science fiction posing as science got under her skin. So much so, she decided to hang out until breakfast was served.

Two eggs, sunny side up, accompanied by two slices of turkey bacon. Coffee, black. Yummy!

The linked-in astro group espoused a certain logic. That there were planets that were destroyed by mutual collisions. Of course collisions could be construed as mutual! After all, what is the sound of one hand clapping? 

Time and time again, we are entertained by the notion that our early solar system was abounded by collision and accretion. How else would be standing on terra firma? If it weren’t for that last great substantive push, we would have neither spin, or stable orbit. Yes, I am barking mad at the moon.

The member artist continues to tease us with the many asteroids that were the result of aforementioned planetary destructions. There aren’t enough pieces in our local cosmic jigsaw puzzle to add up the missing density of two or more bigger silicon rocks. The math didn’t pan out for “where is Vulcan”, let alone, “where is Waldo”?

Getting my mean streak on, due to the anonymity of the morning post, I leave behind my trail of breadcrumbs, just in case meteorites should befell the path before us:

Hi. Nice post, and thought provoking. 

Mars is a protoplanet that lacked the density to retain its atmosphere. I am hopeful that might explain the lack of a life supporting atmosphere on Mars.

The internal temperature of the Sun does not provide for gas giants to form close by, as did the silicate based hard, dense rocky planets.

As for the the “two missing” or non-populated orbits between the gas giants, and the inner rocky planets – sure – there could have been a collision – yet the substantive debris you describe does not support the missing mass.

It is far more likely that the heat, gravity, and the earlier Jovian orbits cleared out the non-populated orbit that you attempted to describe.

My title promised tea time. Please forgive me my gaff, as my prototypical tea turns out to be another cup of Joe.

K2, having read over my recent stab at mediocre astro-lunacy, has something more to say on the matter:

To understand the key interests in self-understanding, one need look no further than the proviso that passions do not pursue the facts. That is self-limiting, and down right dangerous.

Use your reason to pursue your passion. In this fashion, unlike Bruno, you’ll likely not be burned at the stake. -Twasilater.