Author Question: Compare and contrast asteroids and comets. Where are most asteroids found? What will be an ideal ... (Read 67 times)

nelaaney · **on:** Jul 14, 2018

Compare and contrast asteroids and comets. Where are most asteroids found?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Differentiate between the following solar system bodies: meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite.

What will be an ideal response?

juliaf · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 14, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Asteroids are roughly potato-shaped rocky bodies, whereas comets are dirty snowballs that have tails of ionizing particles shooting off away from the Sun. Asteroids are found within the solar system and comets in the outer reaches, but both are remnants from the formation of the solar system itself.
Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter.

Answer to Question 2

Meteoroids are small, solid particles that enter Earth's atmosphere. After entering the atmosphere, the meteoroid begins burning up as a shooting star, also known as a meteor. A meteorite is the particle that remains after the meteoroid's incineration in the atmosphere. These are the particles found on Earth's surface.