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Comets are constantly entering and leaving the inner solar system. However, scientists have theorized that many comets are gathered in a wide area far beyond the planets of the solar system, in a location called the Oort Cloud (for Danish astronomer Jan Hendrik Oort). According to this theory, a huge spherical region surrounds the solar system at a distance of up to 1 light year (50,000 AU) from the Sun. Tiny gravitational effects of the Sun and planets (or even other stars) would pull comets from the region on an irregular but continual basis.
Once comets passed the orbit of Neptune, some would be trapped by gravity and continue to orbit the Sun, with periods of from a few years to several hundred years, until they were either ejected, evaporated, or collided with a larger body. Cometary collisions are one possible source for the water on the early Earth.
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Which is most likely to be a more frequent visitor of earth a comet or an asteroid why?
An asteroid, because the orbits of the asteroids are nearer to the earth than the comets.
Are most comets found in either Oort cloud or the asteroid belt?
Rocky asteroids. Icy comets often live in and come from the Kuiper Belt.
All meteorites collected on Earth come from asteroids or comets?
Most meteorites come from asteroids, which are rocky bodies orbiting the sun. Some meteorites could also come from comets, which are icy bodies. Both asteroids and comets can collide with Earth, resulting in meteorites.
What do comets and asteroids have in common?
Comets and asteroids are both celestial bodies orbiting the Sun. Comets are icy bodies that develop a tail when passing close to the Sun, while asteroids are rocky or metallic objects that typically orbit in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Both comets and asteroids can occasionally enter Earth's vicinity.
Where do comets and asteroids go?
Most "asteroids" are in orbit around the Sun, unless disturbed by gravity or collisions. Comets may orbit the Sun regularly, or be drawn in from the outer solar system and pass by the Sun on their way back out (hyperbolic comets).
Which is most likely to be a more frequent visitor of earth a comet or an asteroid why?
An asteroid, because the orbits of the asteroids are nearer to the earth than the comets.
Are most comets found in either Oort cloud or the asteroid belt?
Rocky asteroids. Icy comets often live in and come from the Kuiper Belt.
Which of these objects would most likely be found between Mars and Jupiter?
Asteroids
What object is least likely to have a spherical shape?
Mercury has about the most perfectly spherical shape, but Saturn has the leastspherical shape (next least spherical is Jupiter).
All meteorites collected on Earth come from asteroids or comets?
Most meteorites come from asteroids, which are rocky bodies orbiting the sun. Some meteorites could also come from comets, which are icy bodies. Both asteroids and comets can collide with Earth, resulting in meteorites.
What are collective nouns for asteroids?
There is no specific collective noun for 'comet', most likely because comets are rarely found in groups. However, it is possible to have a cluster or comets, a series of comets, or (as is theorized) a cloud of comets.
What do comets and asteroids have in common?
Comets and asteroids are both celestial bodies orbiting the Sun. Comets are icy bodies that develop a tail when passing close to the Sun, while asteroids are rocky or metallic objects that typically orbit in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Both comets and asteroids can occasionally enter Earth's vicinity.
Can the sun burn asteroids and comets?
The Sun is hot enough to vaporize most anything.
How are asteroiods and comets alike?
Asteroids and comets are alike in that they are both heavenly or celestial bodies. Most of them were born early in the formation of the solar system too.
Why is the earth spherical in shape while most asteroids and comets are not?
Earth is much more massive than asteroids and comets, and thefore has much stronger gravity, which pulls it into a spherical shape. Most asteroids and comets do not have strong enough gravity to do this.
Where do comets and asteroids go?
Most "asteroids" are in orbit around the Sun, unless disturbed by gravity or collisions. Comets may orbit the Sun regularly, or be drawn in from the outer solar system and pass by the Sun on their way back out (hyperbolic comets).
Where do asteroids and comets come from?
Asteroids are minor planets, especially those of the Inner Solar System. However, between the orbital paths of Mars and Jupiter lie a region known as the asteroid belt. Many asteroids come from there, but most of them stay there. Short-period comets originate from the Kuiper Belt, just outside the orbit of Neptune, while long-period comets are thought to originate in the Oort cloud.
