asteroid
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asteroid
A small, solid celestial body that orbits the sun and is smaller than a planet. Most asteroids are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Wissenschaftler beobachten die Flugbahn des Asteroiden genau, um eine Kollision mit der Erde auszuschließen.
Scientists are closely monitoring the asteroid's trajectory to rule out a collision with Earth.
The word comes from Greek. The ending '-oid' means '-like' or 'resembling'. So an 'Asteroid' (asteroid) is literally a 'star-like' object (Greek 'aster' = star).
Ein Planetoid ist ein planetenähnlicher Körper im All.
A planetoid is a planet-like body in space.
In the context of asteroids, verbs such as 'einschlagen' (to impact/strike), 'entdecken' (to discover), 'beobachten' (to observe), or 'die Sonne umkreisen' (to orbit the sun) are often used. The danger of a 'Kollision mit der Erde' (collision with Earth) is also a common topic.
Ein großer Asteroid schlug vor Millionen von Jahren auf der Erde ein.
A large asteroid struck Earth millions of years ago.
The word occurs very frequently in the fixed expression 'der Asteroidengürtel' (the asteroid belt). This is the region between the planets Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids in our solar system are located.
Das Raumschiff muss sicher durch den Asteroidengürtel navigieren.
The spaceship has to navigate safely through the asteroid belt.
planet
'der Planet' and 'der Asteroid' are both celestial bodies that can orbit a sun. The most important difference is their size and type. A planet is large and has a stable orbit around a star. An asteroid is much smaller and consists of solid material such as rock or metal. Many asteroids are located between Mars and Jupiter. Learners may confuse the words because both orbit the Sun in space. For large bodies like Earth, Mars, or Jupiter, you say 'Planet'. For small solid bodies, you say 'Asteroid'.
Ein kleiner Asteroid fliegt heute in großer Entfernung an der Erde vorbei.
A small asteroid is flying past Earth today at a great distance.
Jupiter ist der größte Planet in unserem Sonnensystem.
Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system.