In this article, the term "asteroid" refers to the minor planets of the inner Solar System including those co-orbital with Jupiter. As minor planets in the outer Solar System were discovered and found to have volatile-based surfaces that resemble those of comets, they were often distinguished from asteroids of the asteroid belt. These terms have historically been applied to any astronomical object orbiting the Sun that did not show the disc of a planet and was not observed to have the characteristics of an active comet. The larger ones have also been called planetoids. Photograph taken in 1997 by the NEAR Shoemaker probe.Īsteroids are minor planets, especially those of the inner Solar System. 253 Mathilde, a C-type asteroid measuring about 50 kilometres ( Template:Convert/sround mi) across, covered in craters half that size.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |