Astronomy - Vocab

Front

What is the Oort Cloud?

Back

The Oort Cloud is a theoretical cloud of icy objects that is believed to be the origin of long period comets in our solar system.

Front

Where is the asteroid belt located?

Back

The asteroid belt is located between the planets Mars and Jupiter.

Front

What is the Kuiper Belt?

Back

The Kuiper Belt is a region of space beyond Neptune that contains many small icy bodies and is the source of short period comets.

Front

What unit is used to measure distances in our solar system?

Back

The astronomical unit (AU) is used to measure distances in our solar system, where 1 AU is the average distance from the Earth to the Sun.

Front

What is a meteor?

Back

A meteor is a rock or particle from space that enters a planet's atmosphere and produces a bright streak of light as it burns up.

Front

What is a meteorite?

Back

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

Front

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.

Front

What is a comet?

Back

A comet is an icy body that, when passing close to the Sun, heats up and releases gas and dust, forming a glowing coma and tail.

Front

What is the difference between a meteoroid and a meteor?

Back

A meteoroid is a small rock or particle in space, while a meteor is the light phenomenon produced when a meteoroid enters a planet's atmosphere.

Front

What is the significance of the Kuiper Belt?

Back

The Kuiper Belt is significant because it contains many small icy bodies and is the source of short period comets.