- A Small Font
- A Medium Font
- A Bigger Font
Our solar system contains not only planets, moons, and the sun, but also other celestial bodies, ranging from dwarf planets to asteroids. Asteroids vary greatly in size; some have diameters exceeding 900 km.
According to starlust.com, Ceres is the largest asteroid in the solar system, measuring up to 939.4 km. It was first discovered in 1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi. Ceres orbits the Sun within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
The next largest asteroid is Vesta, measuring 525 km. Like Ceres, it is located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Pallas, measuring 513 km, is classified as a protoplanet.
Next is Hygea, measuring up to 444 km and possessing a carbon-rich surface. Interamnia and 52 Europa both measure approximately 306 km. Interamnia is notoriously difficult to observe, while 52 Europa is exceptionally dark.
Asteroids have struck Earth numerous times, leaving behind large craters. Scientists estimate that in the last 600 million years, approximately 60 asteroids or similar objects with diameters exceeding 5 km have impacted Earth.
"Disclosure: This is an AI-generated translation of the original article. We strive for accuracy, but please note that automated translations may contain errors or slight inconsistencies."
Related Data
Latest Data Stories
Trending Topics
Popular Data