The Hoth asteroid field, alternatively called the Hoth asteroid belt or the Anoat Asteroid Belt, was an asteroid field that existed where the Hoth and Anoat systems met, close to the planet Hoth.
This asteroid belt near Hoth teemed with millions of asteroids of varying sizes, some comparable to small moons. Approximately 66% of these space rocks were substantial enough to obliterate a starship the size of a YT-1300 light freighter upon collision, with some even capable of devastating capital ships. The area was also inhabited by creatures such as the exogorth Sy-O, dwelling inside the "Big One" asteroid, and mynocks.
Following the Alliance to Restore the Republic's forced abandonment of Yavin 4 after the Battle of Yavin, they initiated a search to locate a new base of operations. Ultimately, the rebels selected the planet Hoth as their new headquarters, primarily due to the presence of the asteroid field, as the asteroids present in the Hoth system provided a natural and effective defense against potential intruders.
Not long after the Battle of Hoth, the Millennium Falcon, while being pursued by Imperial TIE/ln space superiority starfighters, discovered that its hyperdrive was malfunctioning. To escape their pursuers, they plunged into the asteroid belt. Despite the extreme danger of navigating such a field, the Falcon successfully evaded the pursuing fighters (all of which were destroyed by collisions with asteroids) and concealed itself within one of the largest asteroids. Death Squadron—the Imperial fleet under the direct command of Darth Vader himself—followed them into the field, but the asteroids inflicted significant damage, resulting in the destruction of at least one Star Destroyer when its bridge was completely destroyed by a massive asteroid. The Executor-class Star Dreadnought Executor also sustained damage before Admiral Piett advised Vader to contact Emperor Palpatine. Consequently, the Executor withdrew from the asteroid field, allowing Vader to transmit a clear message.