Course Competencies and Learning Objectives

A ★ indicates that this page contains content related to that LO.

CC3.1 Explain the origin and properties of the celestial bodies in our solar system

LO3.1.1 Describe each of the planets in the solar system

★ LO3.1.2 Distinguish between comets, asteroids, and meteors in the solar system

LO3.1.3 Describe the origins of the solar system

Readings

Read Chapter 15 (section 15.3) of Physical Science, 13^th edition by Bill Tillery McGraw Hill Education

Extra

NASA’s Planetary Radar Tracks Two Large Asteroid Close Approaches

NASA: Asteroids, Comets & Meteors, The Kuiper Belt, The Oort Cloud

Asteroids

In June 2024, the 500-ft wide asteroid, 2024 MK, passed very closely to Earth, 184,000 miles. This is a sequence of images of the asteroid taken by The Goldstone Solar System Radar, part of NASA’s Deep Space Network:

Goldstone Solar System Radar - NASA’s Deep Space Network: 500ft asteroid 2024 MK. Closest approach (184,000 mi) June 29.
NASA/JPL-Caltech

credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Eyes on Asteroids

NASA is charged with the job of tracking space debris, asteroids, and more. They have build an interesting interactive that shows you how many asteroids they are keeping up with in an animated and filterable exploration tool. To start the animation, grab the clock icon near the bottom. Move it a little bit to the right to go slowly forward in time. Move it far to the right to move the animation quickly through time. Do these toward the left of center to go backward in time. You can also grab the main screen area to change your position of view. Enjoy!

If you would like to experience it full screen, go directly to the Eyes on Astroids webpage.

Here is a short video from NASA that goes over the differences between asteroids, comets, and meteors.

Time: 1:25

ASL version of What is the Difference Between Astroids, Comets, and Meteors?

Practice and Apply

PROMPT Comets, asteroids, and meteors hit the news when there are impacts with the earth. When you observed the tracked items that NASA keeps up with, did it surprise you how many are in our solar system and near the earth?

Answer

Answers will vary.

PROMPT What is a comet?

Answer

A ball of ice, rock, and dust that orbits the Sun.

PROMPT What is the difference between an asteroid and a comet?

Answer

Both objects orbit the Sun, but asteroids are primarily made of rock and are normally found in a ring between Mars and Jupiter. Comets are primarily made of ice which partially vaporizes when it gets close to the Sun which creates a cloud known as the comet's tail.

PROMPT What is a meteor?

Answer

A meteor is a meteoroid that has entered Earth's atmosphere. A meteoroid is a small fragment that has broken off of either an asteroid or a comet.