Challenges in Studying Planetesimals

Studying planetesimals can be challenging due to their small size and the fact that they often reside in the outer reaches of the solar system. However, several techniques have been developed to study planetesimals, including:

1. Asteroid hunting: Astronomers use telescopes to detect and track asteroids, which are thought to be remnants of planetesimals.
2. Comet studies: Comets are thought to be icy planetesimals that have been perturbed from their orbits and are NOW traveling through the solar system.
3. Laboratory experiments: Scientists use laboratory experiments to simulate the conditions under which planetesimals form and evolve.
4. Computer simulations: Scientists use computer simulations to model the formation and evolution of planetesimals.