COMETS, METEORS, ASTEROIDS

Front

What is the Oort Cloud?

Back

A distant region of space located after Neptune, believed to be the source of long-period comets.

Front

What happens to comets as they approach the sun?

Back

They travel faster and develop longer tails due to the heat and solar winds.

Front

What is a meteor commonly referred to when it burns up in the atmosphere?

Back

A shooting star.

Front

What shape do comet paths typically take?

Back

Elliptical.

Front

What is a comet?

Back

An object made of dust, ice, and gases that usually has a tail when near the sun.

Front

What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?

Back

A meteor is a meteoroid that burns up in the atmosphere, while a meteorite is a meteoroid that survives the fall to Earth.

Front

What are asteroids primarily made of?

Back

Rock and metal.

Front

Where are most asteroids found in our solar system?

Back

In the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What is the main difference between comets and asteroids?

Back

Comets are icy bodies that develop tails when near the sun, while asteroids are rocky and do not have tails.

Front

What is a shooting star?

Back

A common name for a meteor that is visible as it burns up in the Earth's atmosphere.