MINOR PLANET Meaning and
Definition
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A minor planet, also referred to as an asteroid, is a term used in astronomy to describe a celestial object that orbits the Sun and is smaller than a planet. These objects can be found within the solar system and are predominantly located in the asteroid belt, a region positioned between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. However, minor planets can also exist in other areas such as the Kuiper Belt or the Oort Cloud.
Minor planets vary considerably in size, shape, and composition. They generally range in diameter from a few meters to several hundred kilometers. While some minor planets are irregularly shaped and comprised of rock and metal, others may contain organic compounds or even frozen water. These objects are remnants from the early stages of the solar system formation that did not coalesce into planets due to the gravitational influence of Jupiter.
Minor planets follow elliptical or nearly circular orbits around the Sun, though their paths may be affected by the gravitational pull of massive planets and other celestial bodies. They are distinct from major planets, such as Earth or Mars, due to their smaller size and their inability to clear their orbits from other objects. Due to their vast number and diverse characteristics, minor planets provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system. They can occasionally pose a threat to Earth if they have orbits that intersect with our planet's, potentially leading to collisions and meteor impacts.
Common Misspellings for MINOR PLANET
- ninor planet
- kinor planet
- jinor planet
- munor planet
- mjnor planet
- mknor planet
- monor planet
- m9nor planet
- m8nor planet
- mibor planet
- mimor planet
- mijor planet
- mihor planet
- minir planet
- minkr planet
- minlr planet
- minpr planet
- min0r planet
- min9r planet
Etymology of MINOR PLANET
The word "minor planet" has its roots in Latin and Greek.
The term "planet" comes from the Greek word "planētēs", which means "wanderer", referring to the way planets move across the sky compared to the fixed stars. It was later adopted into Latin as "planeta".
The word "minor" comes from Latin and means "lesser" or "smaller". In the context of "minor planet", the term refers to celestial bodies that are smaller than planets.
The concept of minor planets, also known as asteroids or planetoids, emerged in the early 19th century as astronomers began to discover and observe small bodies orbiting the Sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Similar spelling word for MINOR PLANET
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