Asteroid

Asteroids: The Solar System’s Ancient Time Capsules Asteroids are more than just "space rocks." They are the rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system roughly 4.6 billion years ago. Often referred to as "minor planets," these celestial bodies hold the secrets to our cosmic origins and, occasionally, pose a significant threat to our future. What Exactly is an Asteroid?

These are metallic and may be the exposed cores of ancient planets that were shattered by collisions. Why Do We Study Them? 1. The History of Life

Whether they are seen as scientific treasures, potential threats, or future economic hubs, asteroids will remain at the centre of our journey into the cosmos. asteroid

We are currently in a "Golden Age" of asteroid research. Missions like OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2 have successfully landed on asteroids, collected samples, and returned them to Earth. These tiny grains of dust are helping us rewrite the history of our solar system.

These share an orbit with a larger planet (mostly Jupiter) but stay in stable spots called Lagrange points. These are metallic and may be the exposed

These have orbits that pass close to Earth’s orbit. These are the ones scientists watch most closely for potential impact risks. Classification: C, S, and M types

Made of silicate materials and nickel-iron. They dominate the inner asteroid belt. The History of Life Whether they are seen

While they orbit the Sun just like Earth, they are much smaller. The total mass of all the asteroids in the solar system combined is actually less than that of Earth's Moon. Where Do They Hang Out?

Asteroids are "pristine" samples. Because they haven't changed much in billions of years, studying them is like looking at a time capsule of the early solar system. Some scientists believe that asteroids may have even delivered the water and organic molecules necessary for life to start on Earth. 2. Planetary Defence

Astronomers generally classify asteroids into three main composition groups: