What term describes miniature planets or planetoids that are rocky celestial bodies varying in brightness, size, shape, and composition?

The term that describes miniature planets or planetoids that are rocky celestial bodies varying in brightness, size, shape, and composition is asteroids. Asteroids primarily reside in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and are remnants from the early solar system.

They can vary significantly in size, from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. Many asteroids are irregularly shaped and can exhibit different colors and brightness levels based on their composition, which often includes metals, silicates, and other minerals. Because of their solid, rocky nature, they differ from other types of celestial bodies, such as comets, which are primarily composed of ice and dust.

Meteoroids are also different as they refer specifically to smaller rocky or metallic bodies that may enter Earth's atmosphere and produce meteors. Satellites, on the other hand, are bodies that orbit larger celestial bodies, such as moons orbiting planets. Thus, asteroids accurately capture the characteristics described in the question, emphasizing their role as diverse, rocky celestial bodies within our solar system.