Comets & Asteriods

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A comet is a small celestial body made of ice, dust, and rocky material that, when passing close to the sun, develops a glowing coma and a tail.

Front

What is an asteroid?

Back

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

Front

What is a meteoroid?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock or particle from space that is smaller than an asteroid.

Front

What happens when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere?

Back

When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it burns up due to friction with the air, creating a bright streak of light known as a meteor.

Front

What is a meteorite?

Back

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

Front

Where is the asteroid belt located?

Back

The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What are the main components of a comet?

Back

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

Front

What is the difference between a meteor and a meteoroid?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock or particle in space, while a meteor is the flash of light produced when a meteoroid burns up in the Earth's atmosphere.

Front

What is the Oort Cloud?

Back

The Oort Cloud is a theoretical cloud of icy bodies 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, populated with small icy bodies and is the source of short-period comets.