Small solar system objects How do scientists classified small objects in the solar system

The terms meteor, meteorite, and meteoroid, come from the Greek root meteoros which means “high in the air”. What are the major categories of small objects in the solar system? Dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. What do all the objects in those four categories have in common? They all orbit the sun. In what areas are they found? Asteroid belt,(between Mars and Jupiter),Kuiper belt(100 times Earth’s distance from the sun) and Oort cloud(1000 times the distance between the Sun and Neptune).

Define dwarf planets Dwarf planets are relatively new category of objects in the solar system. They were developed in 2006. As astronomers learn more about the solar system new categories had to be developed. What solar system object prompted astronomers define dwarf planets? Pluto Students page 164 figure 2 answer the question should Pluto be considered a planet or not.

Comets What is a comet made of? Ice, dust and small rocky particles. What are the main parts of a comet? the nucleus, the comma, and the tail. Where is the nucleus located? Deep within the comet. What is comet’s tail like? Most they have two tails, a gas tail and a dust tail. In which direction – the gas tail point? Away from the sun. The dust tail? along the path the comet has taken. Coma is the outer layer of gas and dust formed when released by clouds. It si in the comet’s head.

asteroids Went out of most asteroids found in space? In the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. What asteroids made of? Rock. What is an asteroids shape? Irregular Why? They are left over pieces of the early solar system that never came together to form the planet. Why aren’t asteroids classified as dwarf planets? They are too small and too numerous. Students page 166 apply it: 1,2,3,4.5

meteoroids Meteoroids chunks of rock or dust smaller than asteroids. When a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere friction with the air creates heat and producers streak of light. This streak is a meteor. Meteoroids that are large do not burn up completely. Meteoroids that pass through the atmosphere and are found on the Earth’s surface are called meteorites. The impact can create craters. Students page 167 assess your understanding, 1a,1b,1c.