Other Objects in the Solar System, such as Meteoroids, Asteroids and Comets

13.1

Other Objects in the Solar System, such as Meteoroids, Asteroids and Comets

Other Objects in the Solar System

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Meteoroid

Asteroid

Comet

Meteoroid

Characteristics of a meteoroid

Movement of Meteoroids

A meteoroid floats in outer space and travels around the Sun
When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it will be called a meteor
Meteor showers happen when many meteors enter the Earth at the same time
Meteor will burn out before they reach Earth. However there are meteors tah can reach the Earth. These meteors are known as meteorites

Asteroid

An asteroid is a large metal and rocky body that travels around the Sun in its own orbit

Characteristics of an asteroid

Movement of an Asteroid

Most asteroids are in the asteroid belt. However some asteroid orbits that are outside of the asteroid belts, such as the orbits of Apollo, Amor and Aten
Orbits that are outside the asteroid belt can be near or even intersect with the orbit of the earth
Collisions can happen between asteroids and the Earth at the intersection point or trails near the orbit of the Earth and orbit of the asteroids
Collisions with large asteroids can result in the destruction of living things on the Earth

Comet

A comet is a small body made up of a mixture of ice, gas and frozen dust. It travels around the Sun in its own orbit

Characteristics of a Comet

Consists of two main parts, a head and a tail
The length of the tail can reach up to 150 000 000km
The size of head can reach up to 250 000km
Travels around the Sun at an average speed range of 10kms^-1 to 70km s^-1 in its own elliptical orbit

Movement of Comet

Most comets are from the Kuiper belt and the Oort Cloud
When a comet gets closer to the Sun, it increases in speed, melts and appears to have a long tail
The tail of a comet is always away from the Sun due to solar wind blowing from the Sun
Strong gravitational pull of outer planets causes the comet to easily slip out of its orbit
A comet that is out of its orbit has a risk of colliding with the Earth at high speed