Asteroid 1003 Phaethon is a unique celestial object classified as a near-Earth asteroid. Discovered in 1983, it is notable for its unusual orbit, which brings it close to the Sun, making it one of the few asteroids that approaches the Sun more closely than the planet Mercury. Phaethon is also recognized as the parent body of the Geminid meteor shower, which occurs annually in December. As it travels through space, it sheds debris that enters Earth's atmosphere, creating bright meteors. Its composition suggests it may be a rocky body, differing from many other asteroids that are primarily made of metal or ice.