2006-11-08 07:19:22 · 4 answers · asked by Boulevard of broken dreams 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Near earth asteroids are those which pass near the earth .... What is near?? Well I guess 1,000,000 km is pretty near (even 1,000,000 miles!)
Main belt asteroids are beyond the orbit of Mars so roughly 1 - 3 AU from us at nearest approach (1 AU = mean distance from earth to sun) so they are not "near" to us.
2006-11-08 07:43:16 · answer #1 · answered by Wal C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any asteroids whose orbits are close to Earth's orbit are considered near Earth asteroids. That is the only difference.
2006-11-08 07:56:11 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are nearer to the Earth than the ones in the belt. If they cross Mars' orbit a little too far, then they become near-Earth.
2006-11-08 07:32:14 · answer #3 · answered by icez 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the same difference as between the bullets in the gun the guy is using to stick you up with and the bullets still on the shelf at the sporting goods store.
2006-11-08 07:27:46 · answer #4 · answered by mmd 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋