Asteroids

Asteroids are rocky objects that travel through space, mainly found in the asteroid belt located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. They formed about 4.6 billion years ago from leftover material that was not used to create the planets.

Most asteroids are much smaller than planets, ranging from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. Their shapes are often irregular because their gravity is too weak to make them round like large planets.

Although many asteroids remain in the asteroid belt, some can move into paths that bring them closer to Earth. Scientists study these objects to better understand the early history of the Solar System and to learn more about the materials that formed the planets.

Space missions have visited several asteroids to collect information about their composition and structure. While some asteroids have collided with planets in the past, including Earth, most pass through space without causing any impact. Today, researchers continue to monitor asteroids to understand their movements and possible risks.