Minor Planet Collection

Dwarf planets. Three dwarf planets in a row showing their comparative sizes. From left to right: Ceres, Pluto, and Eris. Pluto, a Kuiper object

Alien planet and asteroid, artwork
Alien planet and asteroid. Computer artwork of an asteroid (foreground), an alien (extrasolar) planet (middle ground) and the star the planet is orbiting (background)

Asteroids Ceres and Vesta, scale artwork
Asteroids Ceres and Vesta, computer scale artwork. The asteroids (Ceres is the larger one) are seen against the south-eastern USA for scale. Florida is between them

Asteroid Ceres, artwork
Asteroid Ceres, computer artwork. This is the largest member of the asteroid belt, a large group of rocky and icy bodies orbiting in space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

Artwork of asteroids from an asteroids surface
Asteroids. Artwork of the surface of an asteroid (minor planet) showing numerous other asteroids in its sky. Asteroids are lumps of rock or small planets that have elliptical orbits around the Sun

Asteroid Vesta, artwork
Asteroid Vesta, computer artwork. This is the second largest member of the asteroid belt, a large group of rocky and icy bodies orbiting in space between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

Chiron, computer artwork
Chiron. Computer artwork of the asteroid 2060 Chiron (centre), Saturn (upper left) and the Sun (centre left). Chiron, which is about 300 kilometres in diameter, was discovered in 1977

Four largest asteroids, scale artwork
Four largest asteroids, computer scale artwork. The asteroids are seen against North America for scale. From left, from largest to smallest, they are: Ceres, Vesta, Pallas, and Hygiea

Illustration Chiron Approaching the Sun
Illustration entitled Chiron Approaching the Sun. Discovered in 1977, Chiron is one of the larger minor planets (asteroids) that orbit the Sun

Pluto and its moons, artwork
Pluto is one of the lonely outriders of our Solar System. It is a dwarf planet, having a mass of about one-quarter of our Moon and a diameter of 2300 km

Pluto and Charon, artwork. Charon (left) is Plutos largest moon and is just over half the size of Pluto. Pluto, which used to be a planet, was demoted to the status of dwarf planet in August 2006

Plutos atmosphere, artwork. Pluto has a highly eccentric (non-circular) orbit. During periods when it is closest to the Sun the nitrogen and methane ices on its surface sublimate

Pluto, artwork
Pluto. Artwork of the dwarf planet Pluto. Pluto, which used to be a planet, was demoted to the status of dwarf planet in August 2006

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork
Such Potential Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) can end all life on Earth. A dangerous moment on Earth when an asteroid approaches our homwe planet unvisible in the day sky

Alien planet and asteroid. Computer artwork of an asteroid heading towards an Earth-like alien planet. Any asteroid over 1 kilometre in diameter that impacted the planet would cause catastrophic

Earth, Pluto and the Moon, artwork
Asteroid Ceres and Earth. Computer artwork showing the comparative sizes of the Earth (left), Ceres (middle) and the Moon (right)

Asteroid, artwork
Asteroid. Computer artwork of an asteroid (bottom) and a ringed planet (upper left) orbiting a large star (centre). Asteroids are small rocky bodies left over after the formation of the solar system

Near-Earth objects, artwork
Near-Earth objects (NEOs). Computer artwork showing two asteroids orbiting very near the Earths atmosphere, with the moon at upper left

Asteroid near Mars, artwork
Asteroid near Mars, computer artwork. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is scarred by around 43, 000 impact craters that have a diameter of over 5 kilometres

Asteroid impact on Mars, artwork
Asteroid impact on Mars, computer artwork. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. It is scarred by around 43, 000 impact craters that have a diameter of over 5 kilometres

Impact on an asteroid, artwork
Impact on an asteroid, computer artwork. Asteroids are large rocks left over after the solar system formed. Here, a smaller meteoroid is impacting the surface of the asteroid (lower right)

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Exploring the vastness of our solar system, we encounter a fascinating realm known as minor planets. These celestial bodies, also referred to as dwarf planets, captivate our imagination with their enigmatic nature. In this captivating artwork, an alien planet and asteroid stand side by side, showcasing the diverse inhabitants of our cosmic neighborhood. As we delve deeper into this extraterrestrial world, we come across two prominent asteroids: Ceres and Vesta. Through meticulous scale artwork, we gain perspective on their immense size and significance within the asteroid belt. The intricate details in these artistic renderings transport us to a distant space where these rocky formations hold secrets waiting to be unraveled. Venturing further into the unknown reaches of space, Chiron emerges before us in all its glory through computer-generated artistry. This unique minor planet intrigues astronomers with its peculiar orbit between Saturn and Uranus – a true marvel that continues to puzzle scientists. However, not all encounters with they are purely observational. As depicted in these awe-inspiring illustrations, some asteroids approach perilously close to Earth's vicinity. These heart-stopping moments remind us of the delicate balance between our home planet and the vast cosmos surrounding it. In an attempt to comprehend their magnitude relative to Earth's familiar landscapes, artists have skillfully created scale artworks portraying the four largest asteroids - Ceres being one among them - against recognizable backdrops. Such visualizations allow us to grasp just how colossal these seemingly insignificant fragments can truly be. Minor planets offer glimpses into worlds beyond our own; they ignite curiosity about what lies beyond our atmosphere and inspire dreams of interstellar exploration. With each discovery comes new knowledge about the universe we inhabit – reminding us that even amidst infinite possibilities there is still much left for humanity to uncover in this grand tapestry of stars and celestial wonders.