Okuzeka
Astronomy & Space vocabulary · Solar System & Planets

Asteroid

Meaning in astronomy & space, with examples

/ˈæstərɔɪd/nounCore term

In astronomy & space, asteroid means: A small rocky or metallic body that orbits the Sun. Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

In Turkish: asteroit, küçük gezegen

How it is used

Common in science news and planetary defence: astronomers discover, track and name asteroids and calculate whether one might hit Earth. A 'near-Earth asteroid' has an orbit that comes relatively close to Earth's.

Example sentences

  1. In 2022 NASA's DART spacecraft hit a small asteroid and changed its orbit.

  2. The asteroid will pass safely, at several times the distance of the Moon.

Common collocations

  • near-Earth asteroid
  • asteroid impact
  • track an asteroid
  • asteroid sample
  • asteroid belt
  • asteroid beltThe region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter where most of the solar system's asteroids orbit the Sun.
  • cometA small icy body that orbits the Sun. When it comes close to the Sun, its ice turns to gas and forms a glowing cloud and often long tails.
  • meteoriteA piece of rock or metal from space that survives its fall through Earth's atmosphere and lands on the ground.
  • dwarf planetA round object that orbits the Sun but has not cleared other objects from its orbit. Pluto, Ceres and Eris are well-known examples.

More terms: Solar System & Planets

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: