The discovery of asteroids began in the early 19th century, with the first asteroid, Ceres, found by Giuseppe Piazzi in 1801. Initially classified as a planet, Ceres was later redefined as a dwarf planet. Since then, thousands of asteroids have been identified, primarily located in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter. Asteroids are small, rocky bodies that vary in size and shape. They are remnants from the early solar system and can provide valuable information about its formation. Modern telescopes and space missions, such as NASA's NEOWISE, continue to enhance our understanding of these celestial objects.