小惑星
Meanings
1
Astronomical term for a small rocky body orbiting the sun, especially in the asteroid belt.
The asteroid probe landed on Ryugu.
Many asteroids exist between Mars and Jupiter.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉が地球に衝突するfor an asteroid to collide with Earth
It's considered unlikely that a huge asteroid will collide with Earth.
- 〈物〉を発見するto discover an asteroid
The astronomer discovered a new asteroid.
- 〈物〉の軌道the orbit of an asteroid
This asteroid's orbit is close to Earth's.