There are many objects which can be found in the universe. Sun and planets built solar system but it does not mean that there are only sun and planets in the solar system. Asteroids also become part of the solar system. What is asteroid? Let’s find out further about asteroid facts.
Orbit the Sun
Asteroids are part of the solar system and in the solar system, the sun becomes the center. Just like the planets, asteroids also orbit the sun. Metal and rock is the material for making the asteroids. However, organic compound can also be found from the asteroids according to some scientists. There is suggestion that the asteroids contain needed chemical for starting life on earth. It is small bodies which can be found in the solar system so sometimes it is also mentioned as minor planets or planetoids.
Asteroid and Comet
The small body which can be found in the solar system is not only asteroid. Sometimes it is confused with comet. Asteroid actually has similarity to comet. However, there is one great difference which can be found from this small body. Comet has the visible coma which looks like fuzzy tail and outline but it cannot be found from asteroids.
Size
Different sizes can be found from asteroids which orbit the dun. The size has variation in great range. It can have ten meters small size. There is also asteroid which has more than hundreds kilometers. However, you have to understand that the objects which have less than ten meters of diameter measurement usually are called as meteoroids.
Asteroid Discovery
People know various things about the universe but still the universe is very mysterious. Human being needs to make more and more discovery with the latest technology. However, we need to know about the first asteroid discovery which is in 1801. It was found by Giuseppe Piazzi who was astronomer from Italy. It is named Ceres with about 650 kilometers of diameters. However, since 2006, it had new status as dwarf planet just like Pluto.
Asteroid Belt
Asteroids have its position in the solar system. It is called asteroid belt and it is located between Mars and Jupiter orbits. This is the place where many asteroids with different shape from the dust size to the dwarf planet size such as Ceres belong to.
Technology
From the very first discovery of asteroid, there is dramatic improvement of the technology which is used for discovering the asteroids. Stronger telescopes can be found for helping the research as well as discoveries.
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