Asteroid, comet, and meteoroid comparison worksheet for Grade 6.

📚 Topic Summary

Asteroids, comets, and meteoroids are all rocky or icy bodies in our solar system, but they differ in size, composition, and origin. Asteroids are mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and are made of rock and metal. Comets are icy bodies that originate from the outer solar system; when they get closer to the Sun, they develop a tail. Meteoroids are small rocks or debris in space. When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it becomes a meteor (shooting star). If it survives the journey and hits the ground, it's called a meteorite.

📝 Part A: Vocabulary

Match the term with its definition:

1. ☄️ Asteroid
2. 🧊 Comet
3. 🌠 Meteoroid
4. 🔥 Meteor
5. 🪨 Meteorite

Definitions:

1. A. A small rocky or metallic body in outer space.
2. B. A rocky object that survives entering Earth's atmosphere and hits the ground.
3. C. A small body of ice and dust that orbits the Sun and develops a tail as it approaches.
4. D. A streak of light in the sky produced by a meteoroid burning up in the atmosphere.
5. E. A rocky or metallic object orbiting the Sun, mainly found in the asteroid belt.

✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks

Use the words: asteroid, comet, meteor, meteorite to fill in the blanks.

An __________ is a rocky body mainly found between Mars and Jupiter. A __________ is an icy body that forms a tail when near the Sun. A __________ is the light seen when a space rock burns up in Earth's atmosphere. If it lands on Earth, it's called a __________.

🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking

Imagine you are an astronaut who has just discovered a new object in space. 🚀 Describe what observations you would make to determine if it is an asteroid, a comet, or a meteoroid. Consider its composition, location, and behavior.