Asteroids, Meteors, and
Comets
By Rachel Sticka
http://www.dlr.de/pf/en/Portaldata/6/Resources/asteroiden_und_kometen/pic_asteroids_1.jpg
What are Asteroids, Meteors &
Comets?
Comets, asteroids,
and meteors are
often grouped
together since they
are all basically the
same thing: small
pieces of rock
and/or ice that
aren't part of a
major planet.
http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/comets.php
http://www.arcetri.astro.it/irlab/Astro/astromirror/ninepla
nets/pics/compare4.jpg
http://www.wallpapers-free.org/49/-/Asteroid_belt_in_orbit/
Asteroids
•
The largest
asteroid is
Ceres, which is
933 kilometers
(580 miles)
across.
http://www.wallpapers-free.org/49/-/Asteroid_belt_in_orbit/
•
•
•
A relatively small, inactive,
rocky body which orbits the
sun.
C-type, 75% of known asteroids:
extremely dark , approximately
the same chemical composition
as the Sun minus hydrogen,
helium and other volatiles.
S-type, 17%: relatively bright ,
composed of metallic nickeliron mixed with iron- and
magnesium-silicates;
M-type, most of the rest: bright,
composed of pure nickel-iron.
There are also a dozen or so
other rare types.
http://www.nineplanets.org/asteroids.html
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/faq/#diff
http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/comets.php
Meteors, Meteoroids, and
Meteorites
What is a Meteor?
• The light phenomena which
results when a meteoroid
enters the Earth's
atmosphere and vaporizes.
Also known as a shooting
star.
What is a Meteorite?
• A Meteoroid that has landed
on Earth’s surface.
What is a Meteoroid?
• A small particle from a
comet or an asteroid
orbiting the Sun.
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/faq/#diff
http://www.wallpapers-free.org/49//Asteroid_belt_in_orbit/
Comets
A relatively small, at
times active, object
whose ices can
vaporize in sunlight
forming an
atmosphere (coma)
of dust and gas and,
sometimes, a tail of
dust and/or gas.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Come
t-Hale-Bopp-29-03-1997.jpeg
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/faq/#diff
http://www.wallpapers-free.org/49/-/Asteroid_belt_in_orbit/
Some Interesting Facts
• Many asteroids, including all of the largest
asteroids, orbit the sun between Mars and
Jupiter in the Asteroid Belt.
• Meteors are the short, white trails across the
sky that we call "shooting stars."
• Comets come from two places in the Solar
System: the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt.
http://www.wallpapers-free.org/49/-/Asteroid_belt_in_orbit/
http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/comets.php
What If?
Close your eyes. Think
about how an asteroid
might look floating through
space. What is the shape?
Is it sparkly? Dull? Filled
with delicious minerals?
Does it have craters?
Now imagine that you are a
scientist who has
discovered a huge asteroid
hurtling through space.
Create a 3-D model of the
new asteroid, then draw
and label your model on a
separate piece of paper. Be
sure to name your new
discovery!!!
http://cdn.physorg.com/newman/gfx/news/hires/asteroid2867.jpg
Create Your Own Asteroid!!!
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•
•
•
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Directions:
Get into groups of 5 or 6.
Have one person from each
group collect materials
from the list.
PUT ON FOOD GLOVES!!!
Mix dough, be sure to
follow the recipe.
Divide dough into a ball for
each person.
Individually, add your own
food “minerals” to create
your own asteroid!
• Minerals to Add:
 Iron-silicate: Chocolate
chips or Raisins.
 Magnesium-silicate: Rice
Crispies or vanilla chips or
oatmeal.
 Metallic-iron: Rainbow
sprinkles or edible glitter.
• After your asteroid is
complete: Create a picture
of your asteroid, labeling
the different minerals, if it
has any craters and don’t
forget to name it.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/asteroids/composition.shtml
http://www.wallpapers-free.org/49/-/Asteroid_belt_in_orbit/