Asteroids, Meteors & Comets!

Front

What are asteroids?

Back

Asteroids are small, rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Front

Why do asteroids have irregular shapes?

Back

Asteroids tend to be irregularly shaped due to having less mass and gravitational force than larger celestial bodies.

Front

Where is a meteoroid found?

Back

A meteoroid is found in space.

Front

What happens when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere?

Back

When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it becomes a meteor and produces a bright streak of light.

Front

What is a meteorite?

Back

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

Front

What is the nickname for comets?

Back

Comets are often nicknamed 'dirty snowballs' due to their icy composition mixed with dust and rocky material.

Front

What is the size range of asteroids?

Back

Asteroids can range in size from 1 meter to 1000 kilometers.

Front

What creates a crater on a planetary surface?

Back

A crater is created by the impact of a meteorite striking the surface.

Front

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

Back

A meteoroid is in space, a meteor is the light produced when it enters the atmosphere, and a meteorite is what lands on Earth.

Front

What is the main composition of comets?

Back

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