Hobbies And Interests
Creation
The Main Asteroid Belt is the remainder of the debris that accrued during the formation of the solar system. Some of the initial matter in the solar system collated into the planets we know today. The large chunks of matter in the Main Asteroid Belt were not able to accrue into a planet due to the gravitational influence of Jupiter. Instead, these asteroids continue to orbit the sun between Jupiter and Mars.
C-Type Asteroids
Carbonaceous "C-type" asteroids are primarily composed of carbon and are located on the outside of the asteroid belt, closest to Jupiter. They are often dark or reddish in hue and need a telescope to be seen from Earth. The asteroid 10 Hygiea is the largest known C-type asteroid. These asteroids make up 75 percent of the belt.
S-Type Asteroids
Silicaceous or "S-type" asteroids are composed primarily of rocky silica minerals, which give them a moderate brightness. They comprise a total 17 percent of the belt's mass and are concentrated on the inner side of the belt, closest to Mars. The largest known S-type asteroid is 15 Eunomia, which is about nine miles across.
M-type Asteroids
Metallic "M-type" asteroids are primarily composed of metal and constitute only 8 percent of the belt's total mass. These asteroids are located in the center of the belt between the ring of C-type and M-type asteroids. Sometimes M-type asteroids include significant concentrations of silica and carbon, making their classification harder to determine. The largest M-type asteroid is 16 Psyche.
Comets
Comets are distinguished from asteroids by their icy composition and often erratic individual trajectory. While the bodies in the Main Belt are primarily asteroids, meaning they are composed of rock and minerals, some display comet-like behavior. These bodies are usually found on the outer portion of the belt closest to Jupiter and believed to have a significant composition of ice.