While the planets may be the stars of our solar system, the smaller bodies that inhabit the space between them play a crucial role in shaping its structure and dynamics. From the countless moons that orbit the planets to the icy comets that streak through the depths of space, these celestial objects offer valuable insights into the history and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood.
Moons, or natural satellites, are perhaps the most familiar of the small bodies in our solar system. Nearly every planet in the solar system, from Mercury to Neptune, has at least one moon, with some planets boasting dozens or even hundreds of moons. These moons come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small irregular bodies to large spherical worlds, and play a vital role in shaping the dynamics of their parent planets.
Asteroids, rocky remnants left over from the formation of the solar system, populate the region between the planets known as the asteroid belt. These small bodies range in size from tiny pebbles to massive boulders, with some asteroids even large enough to be classified as dwarf planets. While most asteroids orbit the Sun in the asteroid belt, some can be found in orbits that bring them close to Earth, posing a potential threat of impact.
