Final answer:
An asteroid is a small stony or metallic object orbiting the Sun, mostly found within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. These bodies are considered remnants of the early solar system, varying in composition from carbonaceous to stony and metallic types. The asteroid belt is large with asteroids orbiting in the same plane as the planets.
Step-by-step explanation:
An asteroid is a stony or metallic object orbiting the Sun that is significantly smaller than a major planet and lacks characteristics such as an atmosphere or comet-like activity. Most asteroids can be found in the asteroid belt, a vast region located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The asteroid belt is part of our solar system, characterized by an extensive collection of such rocky bodies, which have orbital periods ranging from 3.3 to 6 years.
Asteroids are intriguing because they are considered to be remnants from the early solar system, preceding the formation of the planets. Moreover, these objects vary in composition, with C-type asteroids consisting mainly of carbonaceous material, while S-type and M-type asteroids are primarily stony and metallic, respectively.