Abstract
This chapter looks at the structure of asteroids and dwarf planets: solid bodies and rubble piles, binary and triple asteroids, how their birthplace affects their make-up, surface morphology, and interior structure. Our knowledge of the size and composition of asteroids is built up from a number of sources: Spectroscopy The study of meteorites Radar observations Spacecraft missions to asteroids Occultations of stars by asteroids Lightcurve photometry
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Dymock, R. (2010). The Nature of Asteroids and Dwarf Planets. In: Asteroids and Dwarf Planets and How to Observe Them. Astronomers' Observing Guides. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6439-7_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6439-7_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-6438-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-6439-7
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)