Have you ever wondered about our Solar system? Each part of it is fascinating in its own right. Today let’s talk about Asteroids – rocky objects that orbit the sun. They are much smaller than planets, but much larger than meteoroids.
There are millions of asteroids in the solar system and they are found in a belt between Mars and Jupiter, known as the asteroid belt.
Asteroids come in different shapes and sizes. Some are round, while others are irregularly shaped. The largest asteroid in the solar system is called Ceres and it is almost 600 miles (940 kilometers) in diameter. Some asteroids are so small that they can fit in the palm of your hand!
Asteroids are made up of rock and metal and can be rich in minerals like iron, nickel, and platinum. Scientists believe that asteroids are leftover material from the formation of the solar system, and studying them can help us understand how the planets formed.
Asteroids can be dangerous if they collide with earth. In fact, scientists believe that an asteroid impact was responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs! However, the likelihood of a catastrophic impact is very low, as most asteroids that enter earth’s atmosphere burn up and never reach the ground.