Studying the small bodies of the Solar System provides a unique opportunity to investigate the dynamic nature of our Solar System, which is not revealed by studying the major planets. The sensitivity of the Rubin Observatory LSST Camera combined with the high frequency of repeated observations will result in the detection of millions of new Solar System objects, from Near Earth asteroids to dwarf planets.

In this investigation, students use mathematical and spatial visualization tools to characterize four main groups of small Solar System objects based on their orbital properties. They interpret how their observational evidence can be used to support the solar nebula theory. They then examine and classify some newly discovered objects from Rubin Observatory.