Science: Earth and Space - Flashcard 32

Front

What is a rocky or metallic object called when it lands on the earth's surface?

Back

meteorite

Front

What is the ring containing objects that resemble comet nuclei and orbit farther from the sun than Neptune does?

Back

Kuiper belt

Front

Who was the astronomer who correctly calculated the return of a comet seen in 1682?

Back

Edmond Halley

Front

What is the group of asteroids located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter called?

Back

asteroid belt

Front

What is the cloud of gas and dust surrounding the nucleus of a comet called?

Back

coma

Front

What phenomenon might Luna and Michael be witnessing as the earth passes through a comet’s trail of small space rocks?

Back

meteor shower

Front

What components of a comet tail separate because they react differently with the solar wind?

Back

dust and gas

Front

Liam was camping with his friends when they saw a small chunk of rock or metal traveling through Earth’s atmosphere, glowing due to adiabatic heating. What did they see?

Back

meteor

Front

Why does a comet's tail grow smaller as it travels away from the sun?

Back

weaker solar wind

Front

Which comet has the shortest period? Options: Halley’s comet, Comet Hale-Bopp, Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, Encke’s comet

Back

Encke’s comet