An asteroid is a small, rocky object that orbits the Sun. Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt, a region of the solar system between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. They are often referred to as minor planets or planetoids.
Asteroids are believed to be remnants from the early solar system, leftover material that never coalesced into a planet. They are thought to be the building blocks that formed the planets and other larger bodies in the solar system. Some asteroids may also be fragments from collisions between larger bodies.
Studying asteroids can provide insights into the early solar system and the formation of planetary bodies. It can also inform future missions to study and potentially mine asteroids for valuable resources.