What is an asteroid defined as?

An asteroid is defined as a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. This definition reflects the composition and structure of asteroids, which are primarily made up of rock and metal, differing from icy bodies or dust. Asteroids vary in size, but they are generally larger than meteoroids and do not have the characteristics of comets, which are primarily composed of ice and dust.

These small rocky bodies are found mainly in the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The fact that they are solid and composed predominantly of rock is crucial for distinguishing them from other celestial objects like comets and meteoroids, which have different compositions and structures. Understanding this classification helps in studying the formation and evolution of our solar system, as asteroids are considered remnants from its early history.