Celestial Objects

Large and small rocks or metallic masses orbiting the Sun; made up of materials similar to those that formed the planets.

• asteroid
• comet
• meteor
• meteroid

The luminous celestial body (a bright space object) around which Earth and other planets revolve and from which they receive heat and light.

• satellite
• planet
• sun
• galaxy

A small object that enters Earth's atmosphere from space and burns due to friction, emitting light.

• meteor
• comet
• asteroid
• star

A ball of gas in space that produces its own light and heat.

• planet
• meteorite
• star
• asteroid belt

This round celestial body does not produce its own light, orbits the sun, and is larger than an asteroid.

• meteoroid
• moon
• planet

A moon orbits which celestial object?

• Planet

• Asteroid

• Comet

• Meteor

Which motion does Earth make once every 24 hours?

• Rotates once on its axis

• Makes one orbit of the Sun

• Revolves once around the Moon

• Passes by Mars in its path

Millions of pieces of rocky material of various sizes orbit the Sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. These objects are known as–

• asteroids.

• meteors

• comets

• planets.

The four planets that orbit closest to the Sun are best described as–

• mostly made up of gases.

• having rings similar to Saturn’s.

• having a rocky and terrestrial surface.

• being composed entirely of water.

Scientists discover a relatively small object in an orbital path around the Sun, as shown in the diagram. Based on this information, the object is most like which of the following?

• Moon

• Star

• Planet

• Comet