Minor Bodies in the Solar System

Where in the solar system are the most asteroids located?

• between A and B

  
  

• between B and C

  
  

• between C and D

  
  

• beyond D

  
  

Astronomers observe the following objects. Which is most likely an asteroid?

• a rocky body larger than a planet, located beyond the Kuiper Belt

  
  

• an icy body that is smaller than a planet, located closer to the sun than Mercury

  
  

• a rocky body that has a moon, located between Mars and Jupiter

  
  

• an icy body that has a tail, located between Saturn and Uranus

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

What terms best classify the planets of Earth's solar system?

• blue and red planets

  
  

• dead and living planets

  
  

• fluid and solid planets

  
  

• gas giants and terrestrial planets

  
  

A student learns that a certain comet in the solar system is considered a short-period comet. Based on this knowledge, what is the student most justified in concluding?

• The comet originates between the Sun and the asteroid belt.

  
  

• The comet originates in the Kuiper belt.

  
  

• The comet originates beyond the Oort cloud.

  
  

• The comet originates in the Oort cloud.

  
  

Round objects, like Ceres, are too small to be called planets and too large to be called asteroids. These objects are known as _____.

• minor planets

  
  

• protoplanets

  
  

• dwarf planets

  
  

• meteorites

  
  

Why does a meteor glow?

• It burns up as it enters Earth's atmosphere.

  
  

• It melts as it orbits the sun, releasing a "tail" of water vapor.

  
  

• It reacts with oxygen in Earth's atmosphere and breaks apart, revealing its fiery interior.

  
  

• It reflects sunlight as it orbits the sun.

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Meteors are also known as _____.

• orbital bursts

  
  

• solar flares

  
  

• shooting stars

  
  

• planetary fragments

  
  

When a meteor lands on Earth, what is it called?

• a meteorite

  
  

• a satellite

  
  

• a comet

  
  

• an asteroid

  
  

Which planet do scientists argue about whether to count as a planet?

• Neptune

  
  

• Earth

  
  

• Earth

  
  

• Pluto

  
  

What is a comet?

• any minor body that orbits the sun beyond the orbit of Neptune

  
  

• a small body of ice, rock, and dust that orbits the sun

  
  

• an irregularly shaped, pockmarked piece of debris that broke apart from an asteroid

  
  

• the trail of light seen from Earth as a meteoroid burns up in Earth's atmosphere

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3