Minor planet

From Aetilc

Minor planets are small celestial bodies that are orbiting a star. They are smaller than planets but larger than meteoroids. In addition, comets are distinct from minor planets because comets possess a coma (an atmosphere) and sometimes a tail caused by expelling of ice gases by solar radiation. Though distinct from minor planets, comets are sometimes considered a subset of the minor planet group.

There are many thousands of minor planets—also termed miniplanets, planetoids, or asteroids—around a planetary system. They vary in size from a foot or so in diameter to hundreds of miles in diameter. The majority of asteroids, the main-belt asteroids, circle a star in the asteroid belt.