system maps, scale, and such

[geoschmo]

I stand corrected on the total mass of the asteroids. Although as with everything else it is relative. Even a planet the size of Pluto would fit a loose definition of "decently sized" when compared to even a large asteroid.

Geo

[Baron Munchausen]

I think the speculation at this time is that Jupiter actually disrupted the formation of the planet in the region of the asteroid belt because if its sheer size. A lot of the asteroids from the belt were 'redirected' to the two 'Trojan' Groups, for example. Many of the early asteroids were apparently ejected from the Solar system completely. But this effect of Jupiter is probably what made life possible on earth. By ejecting so many asteroids from the Solar system it has reduced the number of hits we have had to suffer here and made relatively stable evolution possible.

[ July 31, 2002, 21:25: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]