Final answer:
Planetary science involves studying the solar system inventory, including celestial bodies and their properties. Asteroids and comets are particularly significant as they provide insights into the early solar system. The asteroid belt houses many asteroids divided into types based on their composition, such as C-type (carbon-rich), S-type (silicate materials), and the less common M-type (metallic).
Step-by-step explanation:
Solar System Inventory and Planetary Science
Understanding the solar system inventory is an integral part of planetary science, encompassing the knowledge about planets, asteroids, comets, and their various properties and locations. Studying these celestial bodies helps scientists piece together the history of our solar system's formation and evolution. Comets and asteroids are particularly valuable as they are often considered remnants of the solar system's early days, providing clues about the original materials that formed the planets.
Significance of Comets and Asteroids
Asteroids and comets are crucial for understanding solar system history because they are composed of the primordial material from the solar system's formation. This makes them time capsules that can offer insights into conditions in the early solar system.
The Asteroid Belt
The asteroid belt is a region of space located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter where a majority of the solar system's asteroids can be found. This region represents the remnants from the solar system's formation that never coalesced into a planet due to the strong gravitational influence of Jupiter.
Types of Asteroids
There are various types of asteroids, primarily classified based on their composition. C-type asteroids are carbon-rich and dark, making them some of the oldest objects in the solar system. Conversely, S-type asteroids are made up of silicate materials and are relatively brighter. A third, rarer class of asteroids not mentioned in the question is the M-type asteroids, which are metallic and thought to be composed mainly of iron and nickel.