Objects in the Solar System Flashcard 7.9A

Front

What is a dwarf planet?

Back

A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the Sun and is similar to a planet but does not clear its orbit of other debris.

Front

Where can dwarf planets be found?

Back

Dwarf planets can be found in the Asteroid Belt and beyond, including regions like the Kuiper Belt.

Front

What is the Sun?

Back

The Sun is a star located at the center of our solar system, providing light and heat to the planets.

Front

What are asteroids primarily composed of?

Back

Asteroids are primarily composed of rock and ice.

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What is the asteroid belt?

Back

The asteroid belt is a region in space located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, filled with numerous asteroids.

Front

What happens to meteors when they enter Earth's atmosphere?

Back

Meteors burn up upon entering Earth's atmosphere, creating a bright streak of light.

Front

What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?

Back

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

Front

What is the Oort Cloud?

Back

The Oort Cloud is a theoretical cloud of icy bodies that is believed to surround the solar system at a great distance.

Front

What are comets made of?

Back

Comets are made of ice, dust, and rocky material, often forming a glowing coma and tail when they approach the Sun.

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.