Asteroids, comets, and the Moon

Question 1

What are asteroids?

Answer 1

pieces of rock that orbit the sun

Question 2

What is the asteroid belt?

Answer 2

Region of the solar system between Mars and Jupiter that contains a large number of asteroids

Question 3

How was the asteroid belt formed?

Answer 3

It is thought that Jupiter’s strong gravitational field prevented the asteroids I the asteroid belt from forming a planet. Jupiter’s gravity disrupted this process, breaking up clusters of asteroids which would otherwise have eventually formed a planet.

Question 4

What is a comet?

Answer 4

a large ball of ice and dust

Question 5

Negative impact of comets and asteroids on Earth

Answer 5

Throw large amounts of hot rock and dust into the atmosphere. They are often explosive and so can lead to enormous countrywide fires. This creates even more dust that blocks out the Sun, with a devastating effect on life on Earth. Rapid climate change, resulting in the extinction in some species.

Question 6

What are near-Earth objects?

Answer 6

Asteroid or comet that passes close to the Earth at some point on its way around the solar system

Question 7

Formation of the Moon

Answer 7

Back when the solar system was very young, a planet about the size of Mars crashed into the Earth. The two planets merged together, with the heavier elements such as iron sinking into the middle. The lighter elements were thrown into orbit. This material eventually formed the Moon.