Astronomy Question: Asteroids, Comets and Meteors, oh my!
http://www.dearastronomer.com/
N.N from South Africa asks:
Whats the difference between an asteroid a comet and a meteor
Asteroids are chunks of metal or rock – there’s a large asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Comets are of similar origin (dust grains and rock at their core) but have much more ice built up on them,
hence the “tail” of a comet. Meteors are just small asteroids, which happen to enter the atmosphere.
Meteorites are just meteors that make it to the ground intact.
Ray Sanders is a Sci-Fi geek, astronomer and blogger. Currently researching variable stars at Arizona State University, he writes for Universe Today, The Planetary Society blog, and his own blog, Dear Astronomer
2012-12-04 08:05:05
Source: http://www.dearastronomer.com/2010/11/05/asteroids-comets-and-meteors-oh-my/
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