Exam 25: Meteorites, Asteroids, and Comets

Once an object strikes Earth's surface, it is called a "meteor".

Nearly all meteors are material from _______________.

Explain the phenomenon of Kirkwood gaps. Where can they occur?

Differentiate the S-, C- and M-type asteroids.

What do CAIs include?

Most types of chondrites contain _______________, small bits of glassy rock only a few millimeters across.

When you document the time and place of a meteorite as it streams through the atmosphere, it is considered a(n) ____.

What kind of asteroid crosses into Earth's orbit?

What causes the meteor showers we witness on Earth?

Armor asteroids cross into the orbit of which planet?

A meteorite that is discovered on or in the ground, but not seen to fall, is called a(n) _______________.

What is the largest object found between Mars and Jupiter?

Do all comets have tails? Explain how comets form their tails.

Where are S-type asteroids typically found in the Solar System?

What do you think would happen to life on Earth if Earth was hit by a large (1 km or bigger) asteroid or comet?

Which characteristics of asteroids are used to classify them?

Where on Earth is the impact crater that scientists believe caused the extinction of dinosaurs?

Which type of asteroid is classified only slightly red, mostly consisting of an iron-nickel alloy?

Are comets common?  Explain why or why not.

Gas and dust released by a comet's icy nucleus produce a(n) _______________ and are then blown outward, away from the Sun.