Asteroid Alert! Vocabulary

Front

What is a lump of frozen gases, rock, and dust that orbits the Sun?

Back

Comet

Front

Which term describes a large, spherical object in space that orbits a star and is large enough that its gravity clears other objects from its orbit?

Back

Planet

Front

Which term describes an object that exists in the Universe, such as a planet or star?

Back

Celestial object

Front

What is a meteor that has passed through the Earth's atmosphere and hit the ground called?

Back

Meteorite

Front

What is space debris that heats up as it passes through the Earth's atmosphere and appears as a streak of light?

Back

Meteor

Front

What is the term for a small rocky body that orbits the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt?

Back

Asteroid

Front

What do we call the path an object takes as it moves around a star, planet, or moon?

Back

Orbit

Front

What is the term for a small particle from a comet or asteroid that enters the Earth's atmosphere?

Back

Meteoroid

Front

What is the name of the region in space where most asteroids are found, located between Mars and Jupiter?

Back

Asteroid belt

Front

What is the term for the bright trail of light produced when a meteoroid burns up in the Earth's atmosphere?

Back

Meteor shower