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{{GalaxyPortal}}
'''Asteroids''' are massive rocks in the [[Galaxy]], that either drift through space{{Fn|1}} or orbit celestial objects like stars,{{Fn|2}} worlds{{Fn|3}} or [[moon]]s.{{Fn|4}}
==Description==
They are formed through various means, including gravity binding star-wrought dust together for aeons,{{Fn|5}} as well as being fragments of destroyed worlds.{{Fn|2}} or [[moon]]s.{{Fn|3}} Asteroids also give off huge swathes of magnetic radiation, that can mask the approach of spaceships that closely follow them. Depending on their size, it is even possible for an entire armada to be masked by an asteroid.{{Fn|6a}} '''Asteroid Fields''' can also mask a ship's presence, either due to the numerous asteroids' sizes{{Fn|7}} or if they are rich in dense, sensor-opaque ores.{{Fn|3}} However entering asteroid fields can be dangerous, as micrometeorites can clog spaceship engines, while ice fragments and the gravitational forces of super-dense iron asteroids can buckle their hulls.{{Fn|8}} Drifting asteroids can become trapped in a celestial object's orbit{{Fn|7}} and possibly reclassified as [[moon]]s if they circle worlds.{{Fn|9}} However, if they do so in large numbers, then these asteroids become known as '''Asteroid Belts'''{{Fn|10}} and are called '''Elliptical Belts''', if the asteroids completely encircle the celestial object.{{Fn|3}}
Asteroids are able to strike worlds, either through a natural occurrence{{Fn|15}} or as part of an attack by an invading force.{{Fn|6a}} When this occurs, the [[Imperium]] has technology that uses gravity to displace asteroids,{{Fn|16}} as well as weapons that can destroy them. Though firing upon the asteroids can result in massive explosions, if they have highly combustible cores. In those cases, the Imperium will instead redirect the asteroid's path by striking them a glancing blow that will change their trajectory.{{Fn|6b}}
The [[T'au]] also colonize asteroids{{Fn|17}} and [[Piratespirates]]{{Fn|18}} of various species use them as bases as well.{{Fn|19}}{{Fn|21}}{{Fn|22}} The [[Orks]] are well known for using their technology to displace asteroids{{Fn|16}} or turning them into bases{{Fn|20}} and even [[Rok]] warships.{{Fn|21}} This can make attacking these occupied asteroids difficult if they have a metal composition, as this will prevent [[Auspex Scanner|energy-scans]] from providing details results of their inner workings.{{Fn|20}}
==Known Asteroids==
*[[Black Rock]]{{Fn|6b}}
*[[Buketown]]{{Fn|22}}
*[[Burbeck's Asteroid]]{{Fn|20}}
*[[Pharos (Asteroid)|Pharos]]{{Fn|2}}
==Known Asteroid Fields and Belts==*[[Burbeck's AsteroidCerberian Field]]{{Fn|208}} ==Known *[[The Girdle]] — Asteroid Fields==belt located in the [[Kalidar System]].{{Fn|23}}*[[Cerberian FieldKalidar's Noose]] — Asteroid belt located in the [[Kalidar System]].{{Fn|823}}
==Sources==
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Iron Hands (Novel)]], Chapter 10
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Lazarus: Enmity's Edge (Novel)]], Chapter 5
*6: [[Nocturne (Novel)]]:
**{{Endn|6a}}: Chapter 3 - ''II Devotion of Another Stripe''
**{{Endn|6b}}: Chapter 8 - ''II Blinded''
*{{Endn|20}}: [[Warhammer Siege]], pg. 116 - ''Example Fortresses: Fort Shaggro, Burbeck's Asteroid''
*{{Endn|21}}: [[Blood of Iax (Novel)]], Chapter 2
*{{Endn|22}}: [[The Alien Hunters (Short Story)]] — [[Xenos Hunters (Anthology)]]
*{{Endn|23}}: [[Baneblade (Novel)]], ''Interstitial (after Prologue)'', pgs. 17-18
[[Category:Asteroids| ]]
