Asteroids, Comets, Meteors Check

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What is the asteroid belt?

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The asteroid belt is a region in space located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, where many small rocky bodies, called asteroids, are found.

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Where do comets originate?

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Comets form in the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud, which are regions of space beyond the orbit of Neptune.

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What is a meteor?

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A meteor is a small rock or particle from space that enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up, creating a bright streak of light often referred to as a 'shooting star'.

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What is a meteoroid?

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A meteoroid is a small rock or particle in space that is smaller than an asteroid and can be a broken-off piece of a larger asteroid.

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What is the difference between an asteroid and a meteoroid?

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An asteroid is a larger rocky body orbiting the sun, while a meteoroid is a smaller rock or particle in space.

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What happens to a meteoroid when it enters Earth's atmosphere?

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When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it becomes a meteor and can create a bright streak of light as it burns up.

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What is a meteorite?

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A meteorite is a meteoroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth's surface.

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What is the Kuiper Belt?

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The Kuiper Belt is a region of space beyond Neptune's orbit that contains many small icy bodies, including comets.

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What is the Oort Cloud?

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The Oort Cloud is a theoretical cloud of icy objects that is believed to surround the solar system and is a source of long-period comets.

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What is the largest type of object in space?

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Asteroids are larger than meteoroids and are found primarily in the asteroid belt.