Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors LCMS Review

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A comet is a small celestial body made of ice, dust, and rocky material that, when passing close to the Sun, heats up and begins to release gases, forming a glowing coma and often a tail.

Front

What is the nucleus of a comet?

Back

The nucleus is the solid, central part of a comet, composed of ice and dust.

Front

What is the tail of a comet?

Back

The tail of a comet is formed when solar radiation and solar wind push gas and dust away from the nucleus, creating a bright trail that always points away from the Sun.

Front

What is the coma of a comet?

Back

The coma is the nebulous envelope around the nucleus of a comet, formed when the comet approaches the Sun and the ice vaporizes.

Front

Where is the asteroid belt located?

Back

The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What are asteroids?

Back

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

Front

What is a meteoroid?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space, smaller than an asteroid.

Front

What happens when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere?

Back

When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it burns up due to friction with the air, creating a bright streak of light known as a meteor.

Front

What is a meteorite?

Back

A meteorite is a meteoroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on the surface of a planet or moon.

Front

What is a crater?

Back

A crater is a deep impression left on the surface of a planet or moon when an object, such as a meteoroid, strikes it.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2