Other objects in the Solar System Comets, asteroids, and more

Satellites Satellites are objects that orbit planets. Satellites are objects that orbit planets. Better known as moons. Better known as moons. The “satellites” that we send up to orbit the earth are also satellites. The “satellites” that we send up to orbit the earth are also satellites.

Asteroids Between Mars and Jupiter is a large belt of 1000’s of orbiting asteroids. Between Mars and Jupiter is a large belt of 1000’s of orbiting asteroids.

Asteroids These chunks of rock, ice and metal did not have sufficient gravity to from into a planet. These chunks of rock, ice and metal did not have sufficient gravity to from into a planet. Range in size from specs of dust to 100’s of metres across. Range in size from specs of dust to 100’s of metres across.

Why are they Important Asteroid fragments allow us to determine the age of the solar system. Asteroid fragments allow us to determine the age of the solar system. In the future, asteroids could be a source of metallic resources for humans. In the future, asteroids could be a source of metallic resources for humans.

Comets Large chunks of ice and gas that orbit the sun over very long periods of time. Large chunks of ice and gas that orbit the sun over very long periods of time. Some comets only pass earth once every 10k years. Some comets only pass earth once every 10k years.

Parts of a Comet Core – composed of ice and frozen gases. Core – composed of ice and frozen gases. Coma – the core melts into ionized gas as it approaches the sun. This cloud is the coma Coma – the core melts into ionized gas as it approaches the sun. This cloud is the coma

Parts of a Comet Ion tail – Coma is blown back by the sun’s radiation and forms a bright tail pointing away from the sun. Ion tail – Coma is blown back by the sun’s radiation and forms a bright tail pointing away from the sun. Dust tail – trail of dust following the orbit of the comet Dust tail – trail of dust following the orbit of the comet

Coma Dust Tail Path of orbit The sun is somewhere over here Solar radiation Ion Tail

Comets The ion tail always points away from the sun. The ion tail always points away from the sun. The dust tail follows the orbit of the comet. The dust tail follows the orbit of the comet.

Important Comets Halley’s comet – orbits the sun every 76 years. Next stop at earth July 28, 2061 Halley’s comet – orbits the sun every 76 years. Next stop at earth July 28, 2061 Hale-Bopp Comet – orbits the sun every 2500 years. Last stop was in Hale-Bopp Comet – orbits the sun every 2500 years. Last stop was in 1997.

Falling objects Meteors are objects that fall into earth and get burnt up in the atmosphere Meteors are objects that fall into earth and get burnt up in the atmosphere If the object makes it to the surface intact, it is a meteorite If the object makes it to the surface intact, it is a meteorite

Shooting Stars Meteors, usually the size of a grain of sand or pea, burn up in the atmosphere. Meteors, usually the size of a grain of sand or pea, burn up in the atmosphere.

Meteor showers Every August, earth passes through the dust trail of the Swift-Tuttle Comet. This is the Perseid meteor shower Every August, earth passes through the dust trail of the Swift-Tuttle Comet. This is the Perseid meteor shower Every November, earth passes through the trail of the Tempel-tuttle comet. This is the Leonid meteor shower Every November, earth passes through the trail of the Tempel-tuttle comet. This is the Leonid meteor shower

Pluto The 9 th planet, now considered a dwarf planet. The 9 th planet, now considered a dwarf planet. A distant sphere of rock and ice, at the farthest reaches of our solar system. A distant sphere of rock and ice, at the farthest reaches of our solar system.

Pluto Pluto has 3 moons Pluto has 3 moons Named after the Roman god of the underworld Named after the Roman god of the underworld

Kuiper Belt A second belt of orbiting objects, beyond the range of Neptune. A second belt of orbiting objects, beyond the range of Neptune. Pluto hangs out around here The asteroid belt is in pink

Kuiper Belt We have discovered over 1000 objects in the belt, two of which are larger than Pluto. We have discovered over 1000 objects in the belt, two of which are larger than Pluto. Objects in this belt of sufficient size are considered dwarf planets. Objects in this belt of sufficient size are considered dwarf planets.