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Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors-
Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors-
Comets
• Definition: chunks of ice and dust that usually has a long, narrow elliptical orbit
• Comet means long haired star
Comet
• 3 parts:– Nucleus– Coma– Tail: always points
away from sun
Nucleus and coma make up the head .
Comet
Famous Comets
Hale- Bopp
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Comet Hyakutake
1996
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Asteroids
• Definition: objects that are too small and numerous to be considered planets
• Very rocky
Asteroid Belt
The region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, where many asteroids are found.
More Asteroid Belt…
Meteors
• 3 types:• Meteor: a streak of light in the sky
produced by the burning of a meteoroid in Earth’s atmosphere
• Meteoroid: a chunk of rock or dust in space• Meteorite: a meteoroid that has hit Earth’s
surface
Meteors…
