The orbits of most of the numbered minor planets (98%) are located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Their mean distances from the Sun ranges from 2.2 to 3.6 A. that is, They form the so-called main asteroid belt. All the small planets as big move in the forward direction. The periods of their circulation around the Sun are depending on the distance from three to nine years. It is easy to count, that the linear speed of approximately 20 km/S.

The orbits of many small planets considerably extended. The eccentricities rarely exceed 0.4, but, for example, the asteroid 2212 Hephaestus it is equal to 0.8. Most of orbits is located close to the plane of the Ecliptic, i.e. to the plane of Earth's orbit. The slopes are usually a few degrees, but there are exceptions. So, the orbit of Ceres has the inclination of 35 degrees, famous and great mood.

If the layout of the Solar system orbits of asteroids to portray wire rings, you get loose openwork tor chaotically intertwined in space ellipses. In this chaos, however, was noticed an interesting pattern: missing asteroids with large half-axes of the orbits, 3,3; 2,1 A. E., and some others. In the diagram, which shows the number of asteroids depending on the radius of the orbit, visible distinct spaces. They were called hatches Kirkwood named discovered the effect of an American scientist. It turns out that in these places orbital period of asteroids become comparable with circulation period of the largest and most massive planet Jupiter. Due to gravitational forces resonance occurs. The asteroid's orbit swinging weak, but multiple gravitational influence of Jupiter. As a result, the asteroid leaves this area of space.