Is the asteroid belt a former planet or a failed one?

The asteroid belt isn't a former planet, and don't think I'd characterize it as a failed planet, either. I see it as much like the debris on the floor in a workshop: bits and pieces left behind from making other things. The most significant factor that keeps the asteroid belt as a debris field is the gravitational influence of Jupiter. read more

The asteroid belt isn’t a former planet, and don’t think I’d characterize it as a failed planet, either. I see it as much like the debris on the floor in a workshop: bits and pieces left behind from making other things. The most significant factor that keeps the asteroid belt as a debris field is the gravitational influence of Jupiter. read more

Beyond the orbit of Mars lies the asteroid belt its a vast collection of rocks and ice, leftover from the formation of the solar system. It starts about 2 AU, ends around 4 AU. Objects in the asteroid belt range from tiny pebbles to Ceres at 950 km across. read more