Final answer:
The smaller objects in the solar system consisting mainly of ices and orbiting far from the Sun are known as comets.
Step-by-step explanation:
The smaller objects in the solar system composed mainly of ices that usually orbit far from the Sun are called comets. These objects are icy remnants from the formation of the solar system and contain frozen gases such as water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. They orbit in distant, cooler regions of the solar system, such as the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud, and are known for their icy compositions compared to the rocky makeup of asteroids, which are found primarily in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Comets, when coming closer to the Sun, develop a visible coma and tail, distinguishing them from other celestial bodies.