Unit 1 Concept 1 and 2

Front

What is the asteroid belt?

Back

The asteroid belt is a region of space located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, containing many small rocky bodies that orbit the Sun.

Front

What is a meteorite?

Back

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

Front

What is a nebula?

Back

A nebula is a large cloud of dust and gas in space, often serving as a nursery for new stars.

Front

What are the outer planets?

Back

The outer planets, also known as gas giants, include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are large, gaseous, have many moons, and are cold.

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 dwarf planets, including Pluto.

Front

What is the Oort Cloud?

Back

The Oort Cloud is a theoretical cloud of icy objects that is believed to surround the solar system at a great distance, serving as a source for long-period comets.

Front

What is the difference between a meteoroid and a meteor?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space, while a meteor is the streak of light produced when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere and burns up.

Front

What are comets?

Back

Comets are icy bodies in space that release gas or dust, forming a glowing coma and tail when they approach the Sun.

Front

What is the significance of the asteroid belt?

Back

The asteroid belt is significant as it contains remnants from the early solar system and helps scientists understand the formation of planets.

Front

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.