Objective – Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
Name _____________________________________________________________
Comparison of Comets and Asteroids
(modified from a graphic organizer found at Amazing Space)
Using the Solar System Fact Sheet, compare and contrast comets and asteroids.
Comets
(Source: Astronomy Picture of the Day,
March 30, 2007)
Asteroids
(Source: Astronomy Picture of the Day,
December 28, 2005)
Composition (What it’s made of)
Composition (What it’s made of)
Where are they found in the Solar
System?
Where are they found in the Solar System?
Can it be seen without a telescope?
Can it be seen without a telescope?
Distance from Sun
Distance from Sun
Estimated number
Estimated number
Objective – Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
Comparison of Comets and Asteroids - Key
Comets
Asteroids
Composition (What it’s made of)
Composition (What it’s made of)
Where are they found in the Solar System?
Where are they found in the Solar System?
Can it be seen without a telescope?
Can it be seen without a telescope?
Distance from Sun
Distance from Sun
Estimated number
Estimated number
Water ice, dry ice, ammonia ice, Rocky bodies
dirt, and rocks. Sometimes
called “dirty snowballs.”
Found in...
 Kuiper Belt (from
3,000,000,000 to
15,000,000,000 miles from
Sun).
 Oort Cloud (from ½ to 1
light year from Sun
A few can but most can’t.
From 3,000,000,000 miles to 1
light year.
Over 1,000,000,000,000
Between orbits of Mars &
Jupiter
No
167,000,000 to 418,000,000
miles
Over 150,000