Asteroids, Comets and Meteors

Front

What is an asteroid?

Back

A small rocky body that orbits the Sun, primarily found in the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A celestial object made of ice, dust, and rocky material that, when close to the Sun, develops a glowing coma and a tail.

Front

What is a meteoroid?

Back

A small rock or particle from space that is smaller than an asteroid.

Front

What happens when a meteoroid enters a planet's atmosphere?

Back

It becomes a meteor and can create a bright streak of light in the sky.

Front

Where is the Asteroid Belt located?

Back

Between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What is the Oort Cloud?

Back

A distant region of space that is believed to be the source of long-period comets.

Front

What is the Kuiper Belt?

Back

A region of the Solar System beyond Neptune that contains many small icy bodies, including short-period comets.

Front

What is the tail of a comet made of?

Back

Gas and dust that are released from the comet as it approaches the Sun.

Front

Why does a comet's tail always point away from the Sun?

Back

The solar wind and radiation pressure from the Sun push the gas and dust away from the comet.

Front

What is the difference between a meteor and a meteoroid?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock in space, while a meteor is the flash of light produced when a meteoroid enters the atmosphere.