Comets, Meteors, and Asteroids

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What is a comet?

Back

A comet is a small solar system object made of ice, dust, and rocky material that, when close to the Sun, develops a glowing coma and a tail due to the sublimation of its ices.

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What are meteors?

Back

Meteors are small particles from space that enter the Earth's atmosphere and create streaks of light as they burn up due to friction with the atmosphere.

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What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?

Back

A meteor is the streak of light produced when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, while a meteorite is a meteoroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface.

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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.

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What is a meteoroid?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock or particle from space, smaller than an asteroid, that can become a meteor when it enters the Earth's atmosphere.

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What is a dwarf planet?

Back

A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the Sun, is spherical in shape, but has not cleared its neighboring region of other objects. Pluto is an example.

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What is the tail of a comet made of?

Back

The tail of a comet is made of gas and dust that is released from the comet's nucleus as it approaches the Sun.

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

Back

When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it heats up due to friction and produces a bright streak of light known as a meteor.

Front

What is the main difference between comets and asteroids?

Back

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

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What is a plutoid?

Back

A plutoid is a type of dwarf planet that is located beyond the orbit of Neptune, such as Pluto and Eris.