Asteroid Facts for Kids
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Asteroids are small, rocky and metallic bodies that orbit the sun. Scientists believe that they are remnants from the early solar system, and studying them can reveal clues about the birth of our own planet Earth. Here are some interesting asteroid facts that kids may find fascinating.
1. Size and Shape: Asteroids come in many different sizes, ranging from small fragments to large bodies several hundred kilometers across. They are not spherical, like planets, but can have irregular shapes, with bumps and craters all over their surfaces.
2. Location: Asteroids can be found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but some also cross the orbits of other planets and even occasionally hit Earth. Asteroids that pass close to Earth are called near-Earth asteroids (NEAs).
3. Composition: Most asteroids are made of rock, metal and ice. Some are rich in valuable metals like platinum, gold and iridium, which can make them attractive for mining in the future.
4. Names: Asteroids are named after a variety of things, such as famous scientists, places and mythical figures. For example, asteroid 243 Ida was named after a nymph from Greek mythology.
5. History: The first asteroid to be discovered was Ceres, in 1801. Since then, over 1 million asteroids have been identified, and many more are believed to exist.
6. Dangerous Asteroids: Although most asteroids pose no threat to Earth, some have the potential to do significant damage if they were to collide with our planet. Scientists are currently monitoring several NEAs to ensure that they do not pose a threat in the near future.
7. Missions: NASA and other space agencies have sent several missions to study asteroids up close, including the recent OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid Bennu. These missions have provided valuable data and insight into the composition and history of these rocky bodies.