Asteroid Facts & Information

The Gaspra Asteroid There are numerous asteroids found in the asteroid belt, which lies in the area between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. According to scientists, there are over 700,000 asteroids having a diameter larger than 1 kilometer. However, the origin of asteroids is still unknown. Most scientists are of the opinion that these “minor planets” are remnants of larger objects. Besides questions about their origins, there are many unanswered questions that need research, including the possibility of asteroid mining.

Whether you're an amateur astronomer or just curious about objects in the universe, find fun and unusual facts about asteroids in our guide. You'll also learn how to discover and find asteroids in the night sky using amateur astronomical binoculars and telescopes.

_{Image Credit: Solar Views/NASA}

Trojan Asteroids: Jupiter's Own Asteroid Belt Some asteroids orbit the Sun along with Jupiter. These asteroids are called Trojan's and have found homes at a special place in Jupiter's orbit where the forces of gravity and...	Asteroid Mining - Can it be Done? Is it merely science fiction, or could it become science fact that one day manufacturing resources could come from space, from within our own Solar System, by the process of asteroid...
Nothing But The Facts About Asteroid Near Misses On November 6, 2009, a dark 7 meter wide asteroid was located just 15 hours from a near collision with Earth. A quick estimate of its trajectory showed it would pass within 14,000 kilometers...	The Rosetta Mission (Part 2): Steins Flyby The Rosetta flyby of asteroid 2867 Steins is one of the significant events in the history of astronomy. The space craft gathered a wealth of information and transmitted the first images...

When the Asteroid Belt Was Discovered

When was the asteroid belt first discovered? A number of different scientists and astronomers contributed to the understanding of what we now know as the asteroid belt. While some early researchers...

Asteroid Mining - Can it be Done?

Is it merely science fiction, or could it become science fact that one day manufacturing resources could come from space, from within our own Solar System, by the process of asteroid mining? How plausible...

Nothing But the Facts About the Asteroid Belt

The Asteroid belt occupies the space between Mars and Jupiter where theory says there should be a 5th planet. Instead, these chunks of rock fill this void and give us a unique look into the origin of planets...

Amateur Asteroid Hunting: What's Needed and How To Do It

The idea of hunting for asteroids inspires images of a massive boulder hurtling on a destructive path towards Earth, ready to display its terrifying power and wipe out humankind in the same way the dinosaurs...

Asteroid on Course to Strike Earth? What Happens Next?

So NASA has a goal of finding and tracking at least 90 percent of the asteroids and comets that could cause catastrophe if they collided with Earth. Let's say the agency does one day finds a potential...

When the Asteroid Belt Was Discovered

When was the asteroid belt first discovered? A number of different scientists and astronomers contributed to the understanding of what we now know as the asteroid belt. While some...

Mysteries Of The Solar System--The Planets And Their Moons

Our robot emissaries have given us much information about our neighboring planets and solved many of the mysteries that shrouded them before we moved into space. But they have generated...