Final answer:
Asteroids are small, rocky or metallic objects in space that orbit the sun and have enough gravity to be round. They are too small to be planets and can be as small as dust or as large as 965 kilometers across. They are made up of ice, gas, and rock and can leave behind a trail of gas and dust.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distinguishing characteristics of an asteroid include:
- Asteroids are small, rocky or metallic objects in space.
- Asteroids orbit the sun and have enough gravity to be round.
- Asteroids are too small to be planets. They can be as small as dust or as large as 965 kilometers across.
- Asteroids are made up of ice, gas, and rock. They can leave behind a trail of gas and dust.
These characteristics differentiate asteroids from other objects in the solar system, such as planets and comets.