To many, asteroids exist as mere space rocks of various sizes—out of sight and out of mind. To others, they are potential hazards, capable of destroying the Earth in epic Hollywood fashion. To treasure hunters, they hold potential resources—not the least of which is water beyond the hope of mineral exploitation. However, to scientists, they reveal major clues to the origin and evolution of the universe—circulating through the solar system with a unique set of characteristics and behaviors. Considered by many to be among the building blocks of planets (or planetesimals), asteroids help us understand the universe on a timeline that reaches back to the earliest periods of time as we know it. ...