Institute for Advanced Study Astrophysics Seminar

ABSTRACT: In addition to the major planets, the solar system contains a large number of so-called small bodies in dynamically distinct reservoirs. These include the main-belt asteroids, main-belt comets, Trojans, Centaurs, irregular satellites, the comets of the Oort cloud and Kuiper belt, and others. These reservoirs are important both for the relics of solar system formation contained therein, and as sources for short-lived populations in the inner solar system. For the most part, the small body populations were discovered recently, their investigation is still firmly in the exploration phase and much of the excitement in planetary science stems directly from them. I will use new observations of three "freak" and very surprising objects as a vehicle to discuss the small body populations, to highlight our ignorance of even basic issues in the origin and evolution of the solar system, and to indicate potentially productive paths to future research.