Schematic illustration showing the layout and position of the asteroid belt. This is a region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids (small bodies of rock, carbon and iron) orbit the Sun. The innermost edge is at about 2 astronomical units (AU), with orbital periods of around 3 years. The outermost edge is at 3.3 AU, with orbital periods up to about 6 years. The belt is not flat, confined to the ecliptic (the Earth's orbit). Instead it rises out of the ecliptic, being shaped somewhat like a donut. | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Garlick, Mark |
Taille de l’image : | 4016 px × 4351 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |