Quiz on Comets and Asteroids

Comets and asteroids are two types of small celestial bodies in the Solar System, but they differ in composition and origin. Comets are often called “dirty snowballs” because they are made of ice, dust, and frozen gases. When a comet approaches the Sun, its ice vaporizes, creating a glowing coma and a tail that always points away from the Sun due to solar wind. Asteroids, on the other hand, are primarily rocky or metallic objects, most of which are found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Some asteroids, called near-Earth asteroids, have orbits that bring them close to Earth. Meteoroids are smaller fragments of asteroids or comets, and when they enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up and appear as meteors or “shooting stars.” Studying comets and asteroids helps scientists understand the formation of the Solar System, the origins of water and organic materials on Earth, and potential threats to our planet.