The Asteroid Belt lies between Mars and Jupiter, contains an estimated 750,000 asteroids over 1 km in diameter and millions more smaller asteroids. It is home to the dwarf planet Ceres and while most asteroids remain in the Belt, some have orbits bringing them closer to Earth and other planets, occasionally resulting in collisions.

1. THE
FACTS ABOUT

2. THE ASTEROID BELT
▸ Lies between Mars and Jupiter
▸ Asteroids are considered minor planets
▸ Estimated 750,000 asteroids with diameters more than three-fifths of
one mile (1 km)
▸ Estimated millions of smaller asteroids

3. THE ASTEROID BELT
▸ Dwarf planet Ceres found in Asteroid Belt
▸ A number of asteroids have orbits that take them closer into the solar
system
▸ Asteroids sometimes collide with Earth and other inner planets

4. TEST YOURSELF
▸ Between which two planets does the Asteroid Belt lie?
▸ True or false: Asteroids are minor planets
▸ What dwarf planet is found in the Asteroid Belt?
▸ True or false: Asteroids sometimes collide with Earth and other inner
planets