Small, rocky bodies that have been likened to flying mountains.

Pieces of rocky and metallic materials held together by frozen gases, such as water, ammonia, methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide

As a comet approaches the sun, solar energy begins to vaporize the frozen gases. This produces a glowing head.

As comets approach the sun, some develop a tail that extends for millions of kilometers. Tails point away from the sun in a slightly curved manner.

Where comets with short orbital periods are thought to orbit in this region beyond Neptune. Most Kuiper belt comets move in nearly circular orbits that lie in roughly the same plane as the planets.

Comets with long orbital periods aren't confined to the plane of the solar system. These comets appear to be distributed in all directions from the sun, forming a spherical shell around the solar system.

The most famous short-period comet. Its orbital period averages 76 years.

A small solid particle that travels through space.

Where do meteoroids originate from?

Interplanetary debris, material from the asteroid belt, or the solid remains of comets that once traveled near earth's orbit.

Meteoroids that do enter the earth's atmosphere and burn up.

When earth encounters a swarm of meteoroids traveling in the same direction and at nearly the same speed as earth.

A meteoroid that actually reaches the earth's surface.

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23.4

Minor Members of the Solar System

Question	Answer
Asteroid	Small, rocky bodies that have been likened to flying mountains.
Comets	Pieces of rocky and metallic materials held together by frozen gases, such as water, ammonia, methane, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide
Coma	As a comet approaches the sun, solar energy begins to vaporize the frozen gases. This produces a glowing head.
Tail of a comet	As comets approach the sun, some develop a tail that extends for millions of kilometers. Tails point away from the sun in a slightly curved manner.
Kuiper Belt	Where comets with short orbital periods are thought to orbit in this region beyond Neptune. Most Kuiper belt comets move in nearly circular orbits that lie in roughly the same plane as the planets.
Oort Cloud	Comets with long orbital periods aren't confined to the plane of the solar system. These comets appear to be distributed in all directions from the sun, forming a spherical shell around the solar system.
Halley's Comet	The most famous short-period comet. Its orbital period averages 76 years.
Meteroids	A small solid particle that travels through space.
Where do meteoroids originate from?	Interplanetary debris, material from the asteroid belt, or the solid remains of comets that once traveled near earth's orbit.
Meteors	Meteoroids that do enter the earth's atmosphere and burn up.
Meteor showers	When earth encounters a swarm of meteoroids traveling in the same direction and at nearly the same speed as earth.
Meteorite	A meteoroid that actually reaches the earth's surface.

Created by: jclicurse

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