Comets, Asteroids, and Meteoroids...Oh My!

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.

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What is a meteor?

Back

A meteor is the streak of light produced when a meteoroid burns up in Earth's atmosphere.

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What is a meteorite?

Back

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

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What is an asteroid?

Back

An asteroid is a large rocky object that orbits the sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A comet is an icy small body that, when passing close to the sun, heats up and begins to release gases, forming a glowing coma and often a tail.

Front

What is the difference between a meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite?

Back

The difference lies in their location: a meteoroid is in space, a meteor is in the atmosphere, and a meteorite is on the Earth's surface.

Front

What causes a meteor to appear as a 'shooting star'?

Back

A meteor appears as a 'shooting star' due to the bright light produced when a meteoroid burns up in the atmosphere.

Front

Where do most meteoroids come from?

Back

Most meteoroids originate from comets or asteroids.

Front

What is the composition of a comet?

Back

Comets are composed of ice, dust, and rocky material.

Front

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

Back

When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it heats up due to friction and produces a bright streak of light, becoming a meteor.