Asteroids

Edited by: Hector Figueroa Spring 2013 Image Source: [|The Asteroid Ida and its moon, Dactyl] []

Asteroids]] are dwarf planets or small planets, which are small rock objects that wander through our solar system at high speeds. the largest asteroid known is smaller then the earths moon. Asteroids usually don't have their own central orbit. Asteroids which are #|close to earth are called near earth asteroids and those are the asteroids that can get pulled into earths atmosphere and burn de to the high velocity. when the sky is dark and this happens we usually see what we call shooting stars. The word Asteroid was proposed by Sr William Herschel which in Greek is ἀστεροειδής //asteroeidēs// "star-like, star-shaped"

The Following is a chart of the first 37 Discovered Asteroids followed by the symbol given to them and the year of discovery. Chart Source: [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroids#Formation]
 * ~ Asteroid ||||~ Symbol ||~ Year ||
 * [|Ceres] || ⚳ [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Ceres_symbol.svg/20px-Ceres_symbol.svg.png width="20" height="20" caption="Old planetary symbol of Ceres" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ceres_symbol.svg"]] [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Ceres2.svg/10px-Ceres2.svg.png width="10" height="20" caption="Variant symbol of Ceres" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ceres2.svg"]] [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Ceres3.svg/13px-Ceres3.svg.png width="13" height="20" caption="Other sickle variant symbol of Ceres" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ceres3.svg"]] || [|Ceres'] scythe, reversed to double as the letter //C// || 1801 ||
 * [|2 Pallas] || ⚴ [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/2Pallas_symbol.svg/13px-2Pallas_symbol.svg.png width="13" height="20" caption="Old symbol of Pallas" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2Pallas_symbol.svg"]] [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/2_Pallas.svg/13px-2_Pallas.svg.png width="13" height="20" caption="Variant symbol of Pallas" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2_Pallas.svg"]] || [|Athena]'s (__[|Pallas]__') spear || 1801 ||
 * [|3 Juno] || ⚵ [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Juno_symbol.svg/20px-Juno_symbol.svg.png width="20" height="20" caption="Old symbol of Juno" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Juno_symbol.svg"]] [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/3_Juno_%281%29.svg/11px-3_Juno_%281%29.svg.png width="11" height="20" caption="Other symbol of Juno" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:3_Juno_(1).svg"]] [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/89/Symbol_3.jpg/12px-Symbol_3.jpg width="12" height="20" caption="Symbol 3.jpg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Symbol_3.jpg"]] || A star mounted on a scepter, for [|Juno], the Queen of Heaven || 1804 ||
 * [|4 Vesta] || ⚶ [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Vesta_symbol.svg/30px-Vesta_symbol.svg.png width="30" height="30" caption="Modern astrological symbol of Vesta" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vesta_symbol.svg"]][[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/eb/4_Vesta_%280%29.svg/13px-4_Vesta_%280%29.svg.png width="13" height="20" caption="Old symbol of Vesta" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:4_Vesta_(0).svg"]] [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Simbolo_di_Vesta.svg/20px-Simbolo_di_Vesta.svg.png width="20" height="20" caption="Old planetary symbol of Vesta" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Simbolo_di_Vesta.svg"]] [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/4_Vesta_Unsimplified_Symbol.svg/14px-4_Vesta_Unsimplified_Symbol.svg.png width="14" height="20" caption="4 Vesta Unsimplified Symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:4_Vesta_Unsimplified_Symbol.svg"]] || The altar and [|sacred fire of Vesta] || 1807 ||
 * [|5 Astraea] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/5_Astraea_symbol_alternate.svg/20px-5_Astraea_symbol_alternate.svg.png width="20" height="20" caption="5 Astraea symbol alternate.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:5_Astraea_symbol_alternate.svg"]][[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/5_Astraea_Symbol.svg/16px-5_Astraea_Symbol.svg.png width="16" height="20" caption="5 Astraea Symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:5_Astraea_Symbol.svg"]] || A scale, or an inverted anchor, symbols of [|justice] || 1845 ||
 * [|6 Hebe] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/6_Hebe_Astronomical_Symbol.svg/15px-6_Hebe_Astronomical_Symbol.svg.png width="15" height="20" caption="6 Hebe Astronomical Symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:6_Hebe_Astronomical_Symbol.svg"]] || [|Hebe's] cup || 1847 ||
 * [|7 Iris] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/7_Iris_Astronomical_Symbol.svg/40px-7_Iris_Astronomical_Symbol.svg.png width="40" height="20" caption="7 Iris Astronomical Symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:7_Iris_Astronomical_Symbol.svg"]] || A rainbow (//iris//) and a star || 1847 ||
 * [|8 Flora] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/8_Flora_Astronomical_Symbol.svg/15px-8_Flora_Astronomical_Symbol.svg.png width="15" height="20" caption="8 Flora Astronomical Symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:8_Flora_Astronomical_Symbol.svg"]] || A flower (//flora//) (specifically the [|Rose of England]) || 1847 ||
 * [|9 Metis] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/9_Metis_symbol.svg/25px-9_Metis_symbol.svg.png width="25" height="20" caption="9 Metis symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:9_Metis_symbol.svg"]] || The eye of [|wisdom] and a star || 1848 ||
 * [|10 Hygiea] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/10_Hygeia_symbol_alternate.svg/11px-10_Hygeia_symbol_alternate.svg.png width="11" height="20" caption="10 Hygeia symbol alternate.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:10_Hygeia_symbol_alternate.svg"]][[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/10_Hygiea_Astronomical_Symbol.svg/9px-10_Hygiea_Astronomical_Symbol.svg.png width="9" height="20" caption="10 Hygiea Astronomical Symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:10_Hygiea_Astronomical_Symbol.svg"]] || [|Hygiea's] serpent and a star, or the [|Rod of Asclepius] || 1849 ||
 * [|11 Parthenope] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/11_Parthenope_symbol_alternate.svg/16px-11_Parthenope_symbol_alternate.svg.png width="16" height="20" caption="11 Parthenope symbol alternate.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:11_Parthenope_symbol_alternate.svg"]][[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/11_Parthenope_symbol.svg/9px-11_Parthenope_symbol.svg.png width="9" height="20" caption="11 Parthenope symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:11_Parthenope_symbol.svg"]] || A harp, or a fish and a star; symbols of the [|sirens] || 1850 ||
 * [|12 Victoria] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/12_Victoria_symbol.svg/16px-12_Victoria_symbol.svg.png width="16" height="20" caption="12 Victoria symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Victoria_symbol.svg"]] || The [|laurels of victory] and a star || 1850 ||
 * [|13 Egeria] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/13_Egeria_symbol.svg/16px-13_Egeria_symbol.svg.png width="16" height="20" caption="Astronomical symbol of 13 Egeria" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:13_Egeria_symbol.svg"]] || A shield, symbol of [|Egeria's] protection, and a star || 1850 ||
 * [|14 Irene] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/14_Irene_symbol.svg/24px-14_Irene_symbol.svg.png width="24" height="30" caption="Astronomical symbol of 14 Irene" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:14_Irene_symbol.svg"]] || A dove carrying an olive branch (symbol of //irene// 'peace') with a star on its head,[|[][|6][|]] or an olive branch, a flag of truce, and a star || 1851 ||
 * [|15 Eunomia] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/15_Eunomia_symbol.svg/11px-15_Eunomia_symbol.svg.png width="11" height="20" caption="15 Eunomia symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:15_Eunomia_symbol.svg"]] || A heart, symbol of good order (//eunomia//), and a star || 1851 ||
 * [|16 Psyche] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/16_Psyche_symbol.svg/16px-16_Psyche_symbol.svg.png width="16" height="20" caption="16 Psyche symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:16_Psyche_symbol.svg"]] || A butterfly's wing, symbol of the soul (//psyche//), and a star || 1852 ||
 * [|17 Thetis] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/17_Thetis_symbol.png/20px-17_Thetis_symbol.png width="20" height="20" caption="17 Thetis symbol.png" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:17_Thetis_symbol.png"]] || A dolphin, symbol of [|Thetis], and a star || 1852 ||
 * [|18 Melpomene] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/18_Melpomene_symbol.svg/11px-18_Melpomene_symbol.svg.png width="11" height="20" caption="18 Melpomene symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:18_Melpomene_symbol.svg"]] || The dagger of [|Melpomene], and a star || 1852 ||
 * [|19 Fortuna] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/19_Fortuna_symbol.svg/16px-19_Fortuna_symbol.svg.png width="16" height="20" caption="19 Fortuna symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:19_Fortuna_symbol.svg"]] || The [|wheel of fortune] and a star || 1852 ||
 * [|26 Proserpina] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/26_Proserpina_symbol.svg/16px-26_Proserpina_symbol.svg.png width="16" height="20" caption="26 Proserpina symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:26_Proserpina_symbol.svg"]] || [|Proserpina]'s pomegranate || 1853 ||
 * [|28 Bellona] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/28_Bellona_symbol.svg/21px-28_Bellona_symbol.svg.png width="21" height="20" caption="28 Bellona symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:28_Bellona_symbol.svg"]] || [|Bellona]'s whip and lance[|[][|7][|]] || 1854 ||
 * [|29 Amphitrite] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/29_Amphitrite_symbol.svg/16px-29_Amphitrite_symbol.svg.png width="16" height="20" caption="29 Amphitrite symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:29_Amphitrite_symbol.svg"]] || The shell of [|Amphitrite] and a star || 1854 ||
 * [|35 Leukothea] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/35_Leukothea_symbol.png/25px-35_Leukothea_symbol.png width="25" height="20" caption="35 Leukothea symbol.png" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:35_Leukothea_symbol.png"]] || A lighthouse beacon, symbol of [|Leucothea][|[][|8][|]] || 1855 ||
 * [|37 Fides] || [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/37_Fides_symbol.svg/12px-37_Fides_symbol.svg.png width="12" height="20" caption="37 Fides symbol.svg" link="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:37_Fides_symbol.svg"]] || The [|cross] of faith (//fides//)[|[][|9][|]] || 1855 ||

The Following listed websites are one that I have checked out to look for information on asteroids and from which I have gotten some pictures from to further my knowledge on asteroids.


 * This website [] is a very good website to find out professional and accurate information on asteroids and their components
 * [][|Asteroids]
 * revised August 98
 * This Website seems like a trustable and very detailed proficient website
 * I would say that this website is intended for adult viewers who have a pretty heavy background on astronomy.
 * This website is very easy to navigate, it contains few pictures but contains heavy detail explaining what those pictures are and what they mean. Contains many graphs and information on asteroids.


 * The second website is a great website for people who don't know much about astronomy and want to find out what asteroids and comets are giving basic knowledge info.
 * [][|A Collection of Asteroid images]
 * [[image:asteroids_compare4.jpg]]
 * Author not named and no revision date
 * this site seems fairly accurate but I wouldn't use it as a source for a paper
 * The intended audience for this website would be people who are curious on gathering more information on asteroids I would say middle school through college level Students also adults
 * This site is easy to follow and easy to understand giving much information easy to read at I would say 7th grade reading level.

The third website I found is an interesting website that contains plenty of data files, textures, models and other asteroid related files. This website is very informative and has plenty of good data that is good to know if interested in asteroids.


 * []
 * [|Solar System: Asteroids]


 * The authors are employees of Ibiblio.org
 * Last revision date is Feb 18, 2013
 * This site seem very accurate containing plenty of data and knowledge of asteroids. The format of the website seems like a professional and reliable website.
 * The intended audience would be Astronomy students and also astronomy professors who would like to gather any data or information on asteroids, for educational purposes.
 * This site is very clear very organized, easy to read although does contain some high level vocabulary, but it is perfect working condition. every link works and every picture shows. also all of the data that is offered in this website is accurate and highly reliable. I would recommend for anyone wanting information.

This following website is from a passionate astronomer who wants to give his findings and knowledge to the whole world but whom is not very popularly known. this website gives you basic background on what asteroids are how do they look and their composition.


 * []
 * Asteroids, Meteors, and Comets


 * [[image:asteroid-itokawa-desk-1024-150x150.jpg]]
 * The author is Tim Trott created on Saturday 28th March 2009
 * Last Revision date is December 2012
 * This site is fairly accurate to the information given. very little information was given mostly basic information. The webpage is simply an article that the pages creator created which he gave a basic touch on what asteroids comets and meteors are.
 * This site would be intended for high school students who want to get basic information on asteroids meteors and comets. this page can be used as a reference for a small paper project who a grade school student would use definitely not college or higher level
 * this site works well. It contains pictures which all work fine, but it is a little disorganized and needs more organization with the articles.

This Website is from an astronomy informational page called About.com/Space/Astronomy which gives relatively thorough information about specific asteroids. Many asteroids are available in this page for more information.

[] High Resolution View of Dactyl