microplanetoid

microplanetoid

English

Etymology

micro- +‎ planetoid

Noun

microplanetoid (plural microplanetoids)

1. (science fiction) An astronomical body smaller than a planetoid, such as an asteroid or planetesimal.
   • 1998, Dana Stabenow, Killing Grounds, →ISBN, page 104:

     I mean, the Fomalhauters weren't having enough problems with the repairs to their exhaust duct—their StarGrazer'd taken a hit from a rogue microplanetoid—then this earthbound yo-yo tries to put a goddam drift netter up their tailpipe.

   • 2009, Robert A. Heinlein, The Rolling Stones, →ISBN:

     The loose group of rocks, sand, random molecules, and microplanetoids known as the Hallelujah node was traveling in company around the Sun at a speed of eleven miles per second.

   • 2015, John Steiner, Flipspace:Astraeus Event, Missions 10-12, →ISBN, page 81:

     Around three hundred meters long and a little less than half as wide, the new shape was much smaller than the microplanetoid configuration.