(no subject)

[bellinghman]

It's crowded out there!

Behind the link is a current map of all known solar-orbiting natural objects in the vicinity of the sun. Or, if you like, it's a map of every asteroid in the inner solar system (i.e. to out beyond Mars's orbit, but not a huge amount more), and three planets and the sun. The sheer density is quite astounding.

Comments

[korenwolf.livejournal.com]

It's also showing 3 dimensional data in 2 which will tend to make it look more crowded as well.

[bellinghman.livejournal.com]

Indeed, the real situation is not entirely flat. But the majority of asteroids, like the majority of other objects, orbit in the same direction,roughly in the ecliptic.

So, we're not squashing a football down into 2D, more a somewhat puffy pancake.

[korenwolf.livejournal.com]

Oh entirely. Though what enquiring minds need to know is this pancake covered with stellar maple syrup or not?