Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors-

Comets

• Definition: chunks of ice and dust that usually has a long, narrow elliptical orbit

• Comet means long haired star

Comet

• 3 parts:– Nucleus– Coma– Tail: always points

away from sun

Nucleus and coma make up the head .

Comet

Famous Comets

Hale- Bopp

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Comet Hyakutake

1996

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Asteroids

• Definition: objects that are too small and numerous to be considered planets

• Very rocky

Asteroid Belt

The region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, where many asteroids are found.

Asteroids…

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Meteors

• 3 types:• Meteor: a streak of light in the sky

produced by the burning of a meteoroid in Earth’s atmosphere

• Meteoroid: a chunk of rock or dust in space• Meteorite: a meteoroid that has hit Earth’s

surface

Meteors…

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