Science fiction shows and movies depict space as a calm void full of stars and planets. But a recent study has put this misconception to rest -- not only is space anything but peaceful, it's full of rogue asteroids! 

According to CNN, a recent study published in the journal Nature shows that asteroids can be found in more than just the so-called "asteroid belt" between Jupiter and Mars. The studies, conducted at Harvard University, showed that asteroids formed everywhere, both in "hot" and "cold" areas, and they're in greater number than originally thought.

"This study shows that, indeed, a dynamical process has stirred the asteroid pot, so to speak," said Dante Lauretta, lead scientist on the asteroid sample return mission OSIRIS-Rex and professor at the University of Arizona. Even though Lauretta was not part of the study conducted at Harvard, he was the first scientist to break it down in simple terms for the average person. 

And, according WTVR, the Virginia affiliate of CBS, as the planets moved, so too have the asteroids. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, had the greatest impact on this pull, because as the largest planet, it has the most gravity. "Today we know of about 500,000 asteroids in the main belt, but astronomers believe there are at least 1 million asteroids there that are larger than 1 kilometer in diameter, and even more that are small. The next one we spot will also come from this shaken solar system," reports the site. 

Asteroids are also a great way for scientists to determine how solar systems evolve over time -- especially since they're scattered a lot more than previously thought. If a cold asteroid is found in a hot zone, for example, that's a great way to determine which planets are older than others. 

While there's no telling what this means for the average person on this planet, the best we can determine is to keep our eyes to the skies... Asteroids are not as uncommon as we'd like to think.