Besides between Mars and Jupiter,where else are minor planets(aka asteroids) located?
Minor planets, also known as asteroids, can be found in various locations within our solar system. While the majority of them are indeed located within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, there are other regions where asteroids are also present. Here are a few notable locations:
1. Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs): These asteroids have orbits that bring them relatively close to Earth's orbit, making them a high interest for scientific study and even potential future mining. Some NEAs have even come very close to Earth's vicinity.
2. Trojans: Trojans are asteroids that share the same orbit as a planet, leading or trailing it by 60 degrees. They exist in stable positions called Lagrange points, which are specific locations where the gravitational forces of the planet and the Sun balance out. Jupiter has the most well-known Trojan asteroids.
3. Centaurs: Centaurs are small celestial bodies that have orbits between Jupiter and Neptune. They are considered transitional objects between asteroids and comets. These icy bodies, like Chiron, can sometimes exhibit comet-like activity when they approach the Sun.
4. Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs): Beyond Neptune, in the remote regions of the outer solar system, lies a population of minor planets called TNOs. This region includes Pluto and other dwarf planets like Eris, Makemake, and Haumea. Some TNOs have been classified as Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) due to their location within the Kuiper Belt.
Exploring and studying these diverse populations of minor planets helps scientists understand the early formation and evolution of our solar system.