We use these terms somewhat interchangeably but, like most words, they each have a particular and somewhat different meaning. This may be worth learning about since we often have encounters with these objects as they travel through and around our solar system.Some of these encounters would not be so fun... just ask the dinosaurs.
On the other hand, some are very welcome and have an important place in culture. For instance, the famous Halley comet travels past us every 76 years and its passing has been a celebrated event by the people of Earth since the year 240 BCE.
Asteroids may not be as pretty, but are certainly worth looking out for. In fact, asteroid DA14 is due to pass by Earth on February 15th 2013 so close to the planet that it will actually be closer than our orbiting satellites.
Meteors may be the most important term for us to be familiar with. Here is an example of the effect a meteor can have on us. This is the Barringer Meteor Crater in Arizona which is about a mile in diameter and was formed by a meteor only about 150 ft wide.
See what you can find out about asteroids, comets, meteors, etc. Post a comment that describes their differences, warns of a future NEO (Near Earth Object) that we should worry about, details interesting information, or asks a question for which you can't find an answer.
Could life come to the planet earth from a comet?
ReplyDeleteComet nuclei can range from about 100 meters to 40 kilometers across.
ReplyDeletehttp://dsc.discovery.com/space/qa/meteor-comet-impact-life.html
ReplyDeleteHere's a possible answer.
Asteroids are small, rocky, airless, worlds revolving around the sun that are too small to be called or considered planets. Despite their size, asteroids can be very dangerous.
ReplyDeletea meteor is the light phenomena that takes place when a particle from a comet or asteroid (meteoroid) enters the Earth’s atmosphere and vaporizes. It is often also known as a shooting star.
ReplyDeleteComets are sometimes called dirty snowballs or "icy mudballs". They are a mixture of ices (both water and frozen gases) and dust that for some reason didn't get incorporated into planets when the solar system was formed. This makes them very interesting as samples of the early history of the solar system.
ReplyDeleteby. Jon Rava and Sam Leinhauser
There is only about 1 comet each year that is visible to the naked eye.
ReplyDelete-Jack and Mark
Halley's Comet's last appearance was in 1986, and its average period of revolution around the Sun is 76 years. Its next appearance should be in 2061.
ReplyDeleteComet Halley is the most famous comet, it was visable in 1910 and 1986. Comet Halley is suppose to reappear in 2062.
ReplyDelete-and John Heller
DeleteThe tail of a comet always points away from the sun regardless of the direction of orbit.
ReplyDeleteComets are composed of: rock, dust, ice, carbon, monixcide, carbon dioxcide, methane, and amonia--Matt maul
ReplyDeletethe orbit of a comet usually happens far beyond the orbit of Pluto.
ReplyDelete