The gap between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter is called:
Asteroid Belt
- The correct answer is A: Asteroid.
- The gap between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter is known as the Asteroid Belt.
- The Asteroid Belt is a region of space located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, where numerous small rocky objects, called asteroids, are found.
Asteroids
- Asteroids are rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system.
- They can vary in size from small boulders to objects that are hundreds of kilometers in diameter.
- Most asteroids are irregularly shaped and can have craters or grooves on their surfaces.
Asteroid Belt Characteristics
- The Asteroid Belt is estimated to contain millions of asteroids.
- The total mass of all the asteroids in the belt is less than that of Earth's moon.
- The asteroids in the belt are primarily composed of rock and metal.
Origin of Asteroid Belt
- The Asteroid Belt is believed to be the result of a gravitational perturbation caused by the massive planet Jupiter.
- Jupiter's strong gravitational pull prevented the formation of a planet in the gap between Mars and Jupiter.
- Instead, the material in this region coalesced into smaller objects, forming the Asteroid Belt.
Exploration of the Asteroid Belt
- Several spacecraft have been sent to explore the Asteroid Belt, including NASA's Dawn mission, which visited the two largest asteroids, Vesta and Ceres.
- These missions have provided valuable insights into the composition and formation of asteroids.
In conclusion, the gap between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter is known as the Asteroid Belt. It is a region in space where numerous small rocky objects, called asteroids, are found. The Asteroid Belt is believed to have formed due to the gravitational influence of Jupiter and has been explored by various spacecraft to study its composition and origins.