Asteroids, Comets, and Meteoroids

Front

What is a meteoroid?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space, typically smaller than an asteroid, that is still in space.

Front

Where are most asteroids located in our solar system?

Back

Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt, which is located between Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What defines a dwarf planet?

Back

A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the sun, has a nearly round shape, but has not cleared its neighborhood of other debris.

Front

What is a meteor?

Back

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

Front

What is a meteorite?

Back

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

Front

What are comets primarily made of?

Back

Comets are primarily made of ice, dust, and rocky material.

Front

What happens to a comet as it approaches the sun?

Back

As a comet approaches the sun, it heats up and releases gas and dust, forming a glowing coma and often a tail.

Front

What is the difference between a meteoroid and an asteroid?

Back

A meteoroid is smaller than an asteroid and is typically a fragment of an asteroid or comet.

Front

What is the largest asteroid in the asteroid belt?

Back

The largest asteroid in the asteroid belt is Ceres, which is also classified as a dwarf planet.

Front

What is the significance of the Kuiper Belt?

Back

The Kuiper Belt is a region beyond Neptune that contains many small icy bodies, including dwarf planets like Pluto.