Comets and Meteors
What Is a Comet?
A comet is a ball of ice, dust, and rock that travels around the Sun.
When it gets close to the Sun, the heat makes the ice melt.
The melted ice turns into gas and creates a bright, glowing head called a Coma.
Dust and gas push away from the coma, forming a long, shining tail that points away from the Sun.
What Is a Meteor?
A meteor is a small rock or piece of metal that falls through Earth’s atmosphere.
As it speeds through the air, it gets very hot and glows, creating a bright streak in the sky.
People often call this a “shooting star,” even though it isn’t a star at all.
If the rock survives the trip and lands on Earth, it is called a Meteorite.
How They Differ
| Feature | Comet | Meteor |
|---|---|---|
| Size | From a few meters to many kilometers | Usually a few centimeters to a few meters |
| Origin | Comes from the outer Solar System, often the Kuiper Belt or Oort Cloud | Comes from asteroids, the Moon, or other planets |
| Appearance in sky | Shows a bright head and a long tail | Appears as a quick flash or streak |
| What happens when it reaches Earth | Most comets stay far away; some debris can cause meteor showers | The rock may reach the ground as a meteorite |
Both comets and meteors make our night sky exciting to watch!