Planetoid
An astronomical body too small to be considered a planet.
- The Universal Planetary Profile (UPP) uses a world size of 0 to designate a asteroid belt.
- Please also see ringworld, rosette, sphereworld.
Description (Specifications)
Generally any object less than 500 kilometers in diameter is considered to be a planetoid, although it may be called a moon if it is a satellite of a planet.
- For the purposes of distinction, the term asteroid belt is used to describe a planetoid belt which forms the main "world" in a stellar system.
- The term planetoid belt refers to a belt of minor planets when another belt or world is the main world in a system.
- Asteroid and planetoid belts typically hold between 1,000 and 10,000 asteroids or planetoids each.
History & Background
Planetoids generally cluster together in planetoid belts which encircle a star.
- These belts have a number of possible origins.
- For example, a planet may have failed to coalesce during the formation of its star system.
- It is also possible that a planet has been torn apart by tidal forces, leaving a path of scattered debris.
- Finally, many belts in and around the Imperium were formed by "planet-buster" weapons used in the Final War.
References & Contributors (Sources)
This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
- Classic Traveller Scouts (Book 6 )
- External Link: Beowolf's Libary Data Website