Centaurs

Centaurs are icy, rocky objects orbiting the Sun between Jupiter and Neptune, occupying space between asteroids and comets. They are considered transitional bodies, exhibiting characteristics of both asteroids and comets; many have volatile ices that can produce comas or tails when close to the Sun. Their orbits are often unstable, influenced by giant planets, which can send them inward toward the inner solar system or outward. Studying centaurs provides insights into the early solar system's formation and the migration of small bodies, acting as a bridge between the asteroid belt and the distant, icy Kuiper Belt.