What Is a Comet? Activity
Student Worksheet
Name _______________________________
Instructions:
Answer the questions below based on the information provided in the Comet Mission
PowerPoint that your teacher shared with you. Use your answers in the class discussion that
follows.
1. What are three reasons to study comets?
2. Of these three reasons, which one do you believe is most important? Why?
3. What are the materials that make up a comet?
4. Is Comet Encke a short period comet or a long period comet?
5. What is the smallest part in the anatomy of a comet? What is it made of?
6. What is the gas that is part of the comet’s coma?
7. What is the difference in ingredients between a comet’s white tail and its blue tail?
8. What is the scientific term used to describe a comet’s brightness?
9. What is meant by a comet’s “eccentricity?”
10. How is a comet’s name determined?