Asteroids, comets, and meteoroids are all space rocks, but they're different! Asteroids are large, rocky bodies mainly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Comets are icy bodies that release gas and dust as they approach the Sun, creating a beautiful tail. Meteoroids are smaller rocks or particles that orbit the Sun; when they enter Earth's atmosphere, they become meteors (shooting stars), and if they survive the fiery descent and hit the ground, they're called meteorites.
Match the term with the correct definition:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1. Asteroid | a. A small rocky or metallic body that orbits the sun. |
| 2. Comet | b. A bright streak of light that results when a meteoroid burns up in the atmosphere. |
| 3. Meteoroid | c. A celestial body made of ice and dust that develops a tail when near the sun. |
| 4. Meteor | d. A fragment of space debris that has survived passage through the atmosphere and impacted a surface. |
| 5. Meteorite | e. A large rocky body orbiting the Sun, mainly between Mars and Jupiter. |
Answers:
Use the words in the box to complete the sentences.
Words: tail, asteroid belt, atmosphere, Sun, meteorites
1. Most asteroids are found in the _______________.
2. A comet's _______________ is formed when it gets close to the _______________.
3. When meteoroids enter Earth's _______________, they become meteors.
4. If meteors survive the trip to Earth, they are called _______________.
Answers:
Imagine you are an astronaut on a mission to study asteroids. What tools and technologies would you need to safely collect samples and analyze them? Explain your choices.
Please log in to post your answer.
Log InEarn 2 Points for answering. If your answer is selected as the best, you'll get +20 Points! 🚀