Some very interesting questions have arisen for which I offer no answers but which have stimulated more questions.
Review of my view of our Solar system formation:
(I call it my view because in earlier discussions, some listers gave
the impression that the solar system just suddenly existed- that all of
the planets must have been there at the same time exerting influence over
others.)
Background: (not the focus of discussion, yet.)
That first there were 2 or 3 planets that coalesced - then another and so on. In this view, there is room for the possibility that the asteroid belt existed as a planet BEFORE Jupiter ever existed as such, therefore eliminating the dreaded humongous gravitational influence of the Jovian sphere which would have prevented the coalescence of a planets at the orbital location of the asteroid belt.
Focus: (Following the popular belief that the asteroid belt never
coalesced into a planet:) After the planets congealed and began
settling down, left over debris was grabbed up by each of the planets -
like picking players for a baseball team. The rejects then form their
own team but can't quite
'get it together' (they are, after all, rejects).
My questions:
My thought: If one now factors back into the equation the possibility that the asteroid was a planet originally, having since undergone a catastrophic hit, all these questions seem to be answered.
Just some thoughts.
Best regards,
Julia