What are asteroids primarily composed of?

Asteroids are primarily composed of rock, which includes a variety of materials such as various metals and minerals. They are remnants from the early solar system, formed from the accumulation of dust and debris that did not coalesce into planets. Most asteroids exhibit a rocky composition that can include silicate minerals and metals like nickel and iron, making them fundamentally different from gaseous bodies or those primarily made up of ice. This rockiness is a key characteristic that distinguishes asteroids from comets, which are more associated with ice and dust. Understanding the composition of asteroids is crucial for insights into the solar system's formation and the materials that were present in its early stages.