The number of known asteroids rose sharply in the 1890s. What caused this?
A) The technique of astrophotography was introduced.
B) The first very large telescopes were built.
C) Better theoretical predictions of where to look for asteroids became available.
D) A series of collisions involving large objects between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter resulted in many more asteroids being formed.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The introduction of astrophotography significantly improved the ability to detect and record asteroids, leading to a sharp increase in the number of known asteroids in the 1890s. This method allowed astronomers to capture images of the sky on photographic plates, which could then be studied in detail to identify previously unseen asteroids.

The Number of Known Asteroids Rose Sharply in the 1890s