planetesimal

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“
This theory proposes that an impact with a large planetesimal (asteroid-like body) released a great quantity of debris into orbit, a portion of which collected under the influence of gravity.

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Definitions (5)

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  1. noun Any of innumerable small bodies thought to have orbited the sun during the formation of the planets.

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Examples (18)

  • This theory proposes that an impact with a large planetesimal (asteroid-like body) released a great quantity of debris into orbit, a portion of which collected under the influence of gravity. —  Conservapedia - Recent changes [en]
  • They try to fit the observations to this theory as follows:, provided the impact of the planetesimal happened relatively late in the earth's formation and after the —  Conservapedia - Recent changes [en]
  • If the angle were 30 degrees or 50 degrees or 80 degrees, instead of 7 degrees, the case for the planetesimal hypothesis would be somewhat stronger A remarkable fact concerning the Sun is that the equatorial region rotates once around in a shorter time than the regions in higher latitudes require. —  Popular Science Monthly Oct, Nov, Dec, 1915 — Volume 86
  • "We believe Phoebe is a good example of the fundamental building blocks of planets -- an icy planetesimal," he said, noting that such objects once filled the solar system. —  Saturn Moon Reveals Its Secrets
  • But it may be that short-lived planetesimal dynamos were widespread in the early solar system. " —  YubaNet.com
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. planet + (infinit)esimal.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. New Latin *planetesimus, from planet (a infinit) esimus, used to mean ‘an infinitesimal or minute planet,’ + -al. See planet and infinitesimal.
 

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/plænɛˈtɛsɪməl/
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