Most asteroids are in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Asteroids are strongly influenced by the gravity of Jupiter. Asteroids are made of rock, metal, or a combination of the two.
Most asteroids are in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Eighteenth century astronomers, thinking there might be a small, inconspicuous planet in that gap, started a search for a planet between Mars and Jupiter. For Giuseppe Piazzi, the search paid off on the night of January 1, 1801. He started off the 19th century by discovering the asteroid Ceres. After the discovery of Ceres, many other asteroids were found. The discoverer of an asteroid has the privilege of naming it, but not until its orbit has been well-determined.