There is a major problem with your explanation. I have been informed by a
YEC that there is no Kuiper Belt, therefore no source of comets, and
hence no replenishment of short term comets. Consequently, their current
existence proves that the universe is young. I trust you will bring your
facts into line with the true dogma, for reality must conform to the
infallible Word. If you do not, you will be read out of the household of
faith. That Kuiper Belt objects have been observed and that calculations
demonstrate that such objects will be launched into cometary orbits are
patently irrelevant. ;-)
Dave
On Wed, 10 Jan 2001 13:44:34 -0500 "bivalve"
<bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com> writes:
> The mention of comet orbits being disturbed by planetary gravity
> points to the error in the use of comets for dating. Short-period
> comets are comets that have been moved into short period orbits by
> gravitational interactions. The constant discovery of previously
> unseen comets reflects the continuous supply of nearby comets due to
> gravitational disturbance of very long period objects, in addition
> to occasionally happening to spot something that no one noticed
> before. Part of this supply of potential comets lies in the Kuiper
> belt. Here several objects have been observed which, if gravity
> changed their orbit appropriately, could become short or medium
> period comets.
>
> Claiming that a comet in the inner solar system proves that the
> solar system is young is analogous to my finding an ice cube in my
> cup and concluding that the cup was created more recently than the
> time for the ice to melt. The comets are older, but they have ony
> been in the inner solar system a short time.
>
> Meteor showers represent the remains of older comets. Probably many
> stray meteors derive from even older comets, now disintegrated.
> Large numbers of comets crash into the Sun every year as well-a
> solar observatory satellite has discovered over 100 hits and near
> misses. Thus, there is evidence of constant attrition of comets as
> well.
>
> Dr. David Campbell
> "Old Seashells"
> Biology Department
> Saint Mary's College of Maryland
> 18952 E. Fisher Road
> St. Mary's City, MD 20686-3001 USA
> dcampbell@osprey.smcm.edu, 301 862-0372 Fax: 301 862-0996
> "Mollusks murmured 'Morning!'. And salmon chanted
> 'Evening!'."-Frank Muir, Oh My Word!
>
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