Asteroids, Comets and Meteors

Front

What is a meteoroid?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space, smaller than an asteroid, that can enter Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What is a comet often referred to as?

Back

A comet is sometimes called a 'dirty snowball' because it is made of ice, dust, and rocky material.

Front

What happens to comets after they orbit the sun frequently?

Back

After orbiting the sun frequently, comets can break into meteoroids.

Front

What is a meteorite?

Back

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

Front

Where do most comets originate from?

Back

Most comets come from the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud, which are located beyond Neptune's orbit.

Front

What is the difference between a meteoroid and a meteor?

Back

A meteoroid is in space, while a meteor is the streak of light produced when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What is the nucleus of a comet?

Back

The nucleus of a comet is the solid core made of ice and dust.

Front

What is a coma in relation to a comet?

Back

The coma is the cloud of gas and dust that surrounds the nucleus of a comet when it is near the sun.

Front

What is the main component of a comet's tail?

Back

A comet's tail is primarily made of gas and dust that is released from the nucleus as it approaches the sun.

Front

What is the difference between meteors, meteoroids, and meteorites?

Back

Meteoroids are in space, meteors are the light phenomena when they enter the atmosphere, and meteorites are what land on Earth.