ASTEROIDS

Definition
A small rocky body that orbits the sun

FACTS

• 200-900 km across
• Mostly found between Mars and Jupiter
• Smaller asteroids weigh from 50-560 pounds

Mars-Jupiter Belt
In the early years of the solar system, the gravity of the newly formed Jupiter caused multiple small bodies to collide. This created asteroids.

HISTORY

• Largest asteroid is Ceres, discovered in the belt
• Over 300,000 asteroids have been discovered
• They are detected through radar

Scientists look for asteroids that might hit earth to make sure they don't hit anything

Scientists also study asteroids to learn more about them and how they formed

Sources
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news141.html
://www.space.com/51-asteroids-formation-discovery-and-exploration.html
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Asteroids&Display=O...
http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/solar-system/asteroids-...