Asteroids, Comets, and Meteoroids Flashcard

Front

What are the three parts of a comet?

Back

Nucleus, coma, and tails.

Front

What are asteroids primarily composed of?

Back

Large metallic rocks that orbit the sun.

Front

Which of the following is NOT an explanation for the existence of meteoroids?

Back

Leftover material from the Big Bang.

Front

Where is the asteroid belt located?

Back

Between Mars and Jupiter.

Front

Where can you find a meteoroid?

Back

In space.

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A small celestial body made of ice, dust, and rocky material that, when close to the sun, displays a visible atmosphere or coma and sometimes a tail.

Front

What is the difference between a meteoroid and a meteor?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock or particle from space, while a meteor is the streak of light produced when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What is the Kuiper Belt?

Back

A region of the solar system beyond Neptune, populated with small icy bodies, including many comets.

Front

What are the main components of asteroids?

Back

Rock, metal, and sometimes organic compounds.

Front

What is the Oort Cloud?

Back

A theoretical cloud of predominantly icy objects that exist in the outermost reaches of the solar system.