Summary:
- Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, but are much smaller than planets. They are leftover debris from the formation of our solar system about 4.6 billion years ago.
- Asteroids come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and compositions. The largest asteroid, Ceres, is about 590 miles (950 km) in diameter, while the smallest known asteroids are only a few feet across.
- Studying asteroids helps scientists understand the early history and evolution of our solar system. Asteroids can also provide valuable resources, such as water and minerals, that could be used for future space exploration and human settlement.