planetoids
Small celestial bodies
Planetoids are small celestial bodies that orbit the sun, particularly those found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
The term is essentially synonymous with asteroid, though planetoid emphasizes that these objects are planet-like in their orbital behavior while being far too small to qualify as planets.
Ceres, the largest planetoid, was once considered a planet before being reclassified.
Scientists study planetoids for clues about the early solar system's formation.
Goddess of crops and growth
Goddess of crops and growth
Eros · Flora · Iris · Fortuna · Diana · Minerva · Apollo · Hermes
Kuiper Belt dwarf world
- ErisGreek personification of conflict
- SednaDistant minor planet
- CharonMythical underworld ferryman
- trans-NeptunianBeyond the eighth planet
Kuiper · hydrostatic · equilibrium · spherical · reclassification
Oval-shaped or indirect
- perihelionOrbital point nearest sun
- aphelionFarthest point from sun
- eccentricityUnconventional behavior or nature
- inclinationDisposition toward something
semi-major · trajectory · Kepler · retrograde · prograde · resonance · perturbation · NEO
Silicon-oxygen bonded minerals
- carbonaceousContaining or composed of carbon
- metallicResembling ore-based elements
- regolithFragmented covering over bedrock
- craterImpact or volcanic basin
iron-nickel · chondrite · volatiles · ice · differentiated · spectroscopy · albedo · surface
Close pass without landing
- rendezvousScheduled meeting at agreed location
- HayabusaAsteroid-sampling space probe
- DawnProper name suggesting beginning
- RosettaTrilingual Egyptian artifact
probe · spacecraft · mining · imagery · mapping · landing · navigation · trajectory
Life spreads via space rocks
- extremophilesOrganisms surviving extreme conditions
- organicsProducts without synthetic additives
- prebioticNutrient for gut bacteria
- lifeAnimate state
abiogenesis · delivery · impacts · volatiles · biosignatures · microorganisms · origins
Ceres
Goddess of crops and growth
Ceres
Goddess of crops and growth
Psyche · Eros · Flora · Iris · Fortuna · Diana · Minerva · Apollo · Hermes · Icarus
Pluto
Kuiper Belt dwarf world
trans-Neptunian · Kuiper · hydrostatic · equilibrium · spherical · reclassification
elliptical
Oval-shaped or indirect
- perihelionOrbital point nearest sun
- aphelionFarthest point from sun
- eccentricityUnconventional behavior or nature
inclination · semi-major · trajectory · Kepler · retrograde · prograde · resonance · perturbation · NEO · Trojans
silicates
Silicon-oxygen bonded minerals
- carbonaceousContaining or composed of carbon
- metallicResembling ore-based elements
- regolithFragmented covering over bedrock
crater · iron-nickel · chondrite · volatiles · ice · differentiated · spectroscopy · albedo · surface · dust
flyby
Close pass without landing
- rendezvousScheduled meeting at agreed location
- HayabusaAsteroid-sampling space probe
- DawnProper name suggesting beginning
Rosetta · probe · spacecraft · mining · imagery · mapping · landing · navigation · trajectory · mission
panspermia
Life spreads via space rocks
- extremophilesOrganisms surviving extreme conditions
- organicsProducts without synthetic additives
- prebioticNutrient for gut bacteria
life · abiogenesis · delivery · impacts · volatiles · biosignatures · microorganisms · origins
planetoidsplanets
Star-orbiting celestial bodies
major planets · gas giants · Jupiter · terrestrial planets · Earth
planetoidsstars
Luminous celestial bodies
suns · galaxies · solar systems · black holes · nebulae