What determines the classification of an object as an asteroid?

The classification of an object as an asteroid primarily depends on its orbit around the Sun. Asteroids are generally found in specific orbital regions, with the majority located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Their orbits can be elliptical, and they typically have a stable path around the Sun, distinguishing them from other celestial bodies such as comets or planets. While size, composition, and location can play a role in differentiating asteroids from other objects, it is the characteristics of the orbit that fundamentally define them as asteroids. For instance, comets, which have different orbits and characteristics, are defined by their tails and volatile compositions, not primarily by the orbital traits that characterize asteroids.