Asteroids, Meteoroids, and Comets

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A comet is a small celestial body made of ice, dust, and rocky material that has a long and narrow orbit around the sun.

Front

What is gravity?

Back

Gravity is the force that attracts objects with mass towards each other, keeping planets, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids in orbit around the sun.

Front

Where are asteroids primarily found?

Back

Asteroids are primarily found in the Asteroid Belt, which is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What is the difference between a comet and an asteroid?

Back

Comets are made of ice and dust, while asteroids are primarily made of rock and metal.

Front

What do asteroids, meteoroids, and comets have in common?

Back

They all orbit the sun.

Front

What is a meteoroid?

Back

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

Front

What happens when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere?

Back

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

Front

What is the Oort Cloud?

Back

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

Front

What is the Kuiper Belt?

Back

The Kuiper Belt is a region of the solar system beyond Neptune that contains many small icy bodies, including short-period comets.

Front

What is an asteroid?

Back

An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the sun, primarily found in the Asteroid Belt.