When people hang around together for a long time, they sometimes make up nicknames for one another. They also make up nicknames for things that they use a lot.
Scientists are the same way.
The story about asteroids is loaded with letters that stand for different places or objects. Nicknames can make you feel left out and confused if you do not know them. If you do know what they mean, it can be fun and you really feel like one of the crowd. Below is a list of abbreviations and acronyms you will find in the Asteroid story. Then, skim the story and circle them.