Astroid: meaning, definitions and examples
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astroid
[ ˈæstərɔɪd ]
space object
An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. These celestial objects can vary greatly in size and composition, from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers across. Unlike planets, asteroids are not spherical and tend to have irregular shapes.
Synonyms
minor planet, planetoid
Examples of usage
- NASA is studying the impact of asteroids on Earth.
- An asteroid flew past Earth last week.
- The asteroid belt contains millions of asteroids.
space exploration
Asteroids are often targeted by space missions for exploration due to their primitive materials, which can provide insights into the early solar system. They are considered valuable for potential mining given their metal-rich compositions.
Synonyms
cosmic debris, space rock
Examples of usage
- The spacecraft is on a mission to an asteroid.
- Scientists hope to extract resources from asteroids.
- Asteroids are potential targets for future colonization.
Etymology
The term 'asteroid' comes from the Greek word 'asteroeidēs', which means 'star-like'. It was first coined in the early 19th century by astronomer Wilhelm Olbers in 1802 to describe newly discovered celestial bodies among the asteroids. The suffix '-oid' means 'like' or 'resembling', while 'aster' comes from 'aster' for 'star'. This reflects the original perception of asteroids as star-like points of light in the sky. The discovery of Ceres in 1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi marked the beginning of asteroid discovery which expanded over the subsequent years as telescopes improved. Over time, the study of asteroids has revealed valuable information about the formation and evolution of the solar system.