<P> The Kuiper belt ( / ˈkaɪpər / or Dutch pronunciation : ( ' kœy̯pǝr ) ) , sometimes called the Edgeworth -- Kuiper belt , is a circumstellar disc in the Solar System beyond the ( known ) planets , extending from the orbit of Neptune ( at 30 AU ) to approximately 50 AU from the Sun . It is similar to the asteroid belt , but is far larger -- 20 times as wide and 20 to 200 times as massive . Like the asteroid belt , it consists mainly of small bodies or remnants from when the Solar System formed . While many asteroids are composed primarily of rock and metal , most Kuiper belt objects are composed largely of frozen volatiles ( termed `` ices '' ) , such as methane , ammonia and water . The Kuiper belt is home to three officially recognized dwarf planets : Pluto , Haumea and Makemake . Some of the Solar System 's moons , such as Neptune 's Triton and Saturn 's Phoebe , are thought to have originated in the region . </P>
<P> The Kuiper belt ( / ˈkaɪpər / or Dutch pronunciation : ( ' kœy̯pǝr ) ) , sometimes called the Edgeworth -- Kuiper belt , is a circumstellar disc in the Solar System beyond the ( known ) planets , extending from the orbit of Neptune ( at 30 AU ) to approximately 50 AU from the Sun . It is similar to the asteroid belt , but is far larger -- 20 times as wide and 20 to 200 times as massive . Like the asteroid belt , it consists mainly of small bodies or remnants from when the Solar System formed . While many asteroids are composed primarily of rock and metal , most Kuiper belt objects are composed largely of frozen volatiles ( termed `` ices '' ) , such as methane , ammonia and water . The Kuiper belt is home to three officially recognized dwarf planets : Pluto , Haumea and Makemake . Some of the Solar System 's moons , such as Neptune 's Triton and Saturn 's Phoebe , are thought to have originated in the region . </P>
where is the kuiper belt located in the solar system
where is the kuiper belt located in the solar system
extending from the orbit of Neptune ( at 30 AU ) to approximately 50 AU from the Sun
extending from the orbit of Neptune ( at 30 AU ) to approximately 50 AU from the Sun