Other Objects in the Solar System, such as Meteoroids, Asteroids and Comets


13.1 Other Objects in the Solar System, such as Meteoroids, Asteroids and Comets
   
Other Objects in the Solar System
\(\swarrow\) \(\downarrow\) \(\searrow\)
Meteoroid Asteroid Comet

Meteoroid
   
  • A meteoroid is a floating piece of stone and metal that moves in peace
 
Characteristics of a meteoroid
  • Appears in various sizes, which is from \(10\mu m \)to \(1 m\)
  • Made up of stones and metals
  • Its surface temperature in outer space is about 0°C
  • Travels at varying speed
 
Movement of Meteoroids
  1. A meteoroid floats in outer space and travels around the Sun
  2. When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it will be called a meteor
  3. Meteor showers happen when many meteors enter the Earth at the same time
  4. Meteor will burn out before they reach Earth. However there are meteors tah can reach the Earth. These meteors are known as meteorites

Asteroid
  • An asteroid is a large metal and rocky body that travels around the Sun in its own orbit
   
Characteristics of an asteroid
  • Size starts from 1 m to 1000 km
  • Made up of stones and metals
  • Has a cold surface temperature, approximately -73°C
  • Travel around the Sun at an average speed of \(25\text{ km s}^{-1}\)
 
Movement of an Asteroid
  • Most asteroids are in the asteroid belt. However some asteroid orbits that are outside of the asteroid belts, such as the orbits of Apollo, Amor and Aten
  • Orbits that are outside the asteroid belt can be near or even intersect with the orbit of the earth
  • Collisions can happen between asteroids and the Earth at the intersection point or trails near the orbit of the Earth and orbit of the asteroids
  • Collisions with large asteroids can result in the destruction of living things on the Earth

Comet
  • A comet is a small body made up of a mixture of ice, gas and frozen dust. It travels around the Sun in its own orbit
 
Characteristics of a Comet
  • Consists of two main parts, a head and a tail
  • The length of the tail can reach up to 150 000 000km
  • The size of head can reach up to 250 000km
  • Travels around the Sun at an average speed range of 10kms^-1 to 70km s^-1 in its own elliptical orbit
 
Movement of Comet
  • Most comets are from the Kuiper belt and the Oort Cloud
  • When a comet gets closer to the Sun, it increases in speed, melts and appears to have a long tail
  • The tail of a comet is always away from the Sun due to solar wind blowing from the Sun
  • Strong gravitational pull of outer planets causes the comet to easily slip out of its orbit
  • A comet that is out of its orbit has a risk of colliding with the Earth at high speed

Other Objects in the Solar System, such as Meteoroids, Asteroids and Comets


13.1 Other Objects in the Solar System, such as Meteoroids, Asteroids and Comets
   
Other Objects in the Solar System
\(\swarrow\) \(\downarrow\) \(\searrow\)
Meteoroid Asteroid Comet

Meteoroid
   
  • A meteoroid is a floating piece of stone and metal that moves in peace
 
Characteristics of a meteoroid
  • Appears in various sizes, which is from \(10\mu m \)to \(1 m\)
  • Made up of stones and metals
  • Its surface temperature in outer space is about 0°C
  • Travels at varying speed
 
Movement of Meteoroids
  1. A meteoroid floats in outer space and travels around the Sun
  2. When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it will be called a meteor
  3. Meteor showers happen when many meteors enter the Earth at the same time
  4. Meteor will burn out before they reach Earth. However there are meteors tah can reach the Earth. These meteors are known as meteorites

Asteroid
  • An asteroid is a large metal and rocky body that travels around the Sun in its own orbit
   
Characteristics of an asteroid
  • Size starts from 1 m to 1000 km
  • Made up of stones and metals
  • Has a cold surface temperature, approximately -73°C
  • Travel around the Sun at an average speed of \(25\text{ km s}^{-1}\)
 
Movement of an Asteroid
  • Most asteroids are in the asteroid belt. However some asteroid orbits that are outside of the asteroid belts, such as the orbits of Apollo, Amor and Aten
  • Orbits that are outside the asteroid belt can be near or even intersect with the orbit of the earth
  • Collisions can happen between asteroids and the Earth at the intersection point or trails near the orbit of the Earth and orbit of the asteroids
  • Collisions with large asteroids can result in the destruction of living things on the Earth

Comet
  • A comet is a small body made up of a mixture of ice, gas and frozen dust. It travels around the Sun in its own orbit
 
Characteristics of a Comet
  • Consists of two main parts, a head and a tail
  • The length of the tail can reach up to 150 000 000km
  • The size of head can reach up to 250 000km
  • Travels around the Sun at an average speed range of 10kms^-1 to 70km s^-1 in its own elliptical orbit
 
Movement of Comet
  • Most comets are from the Kuiper belt and the Oort Cloud
  • When a comet gets closer to the Sun, it increases in speed, melts and appears to have a long tail
  • The tail of a comet is always away from the Sun due to solar wind blowing from the Sun
  • Strong gravitational pull of outer planets causes the comet to easily slip out of its orbit
  • A comet that is out of its orbit has a risk of colliding with the Earth at high speed