SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -Some asteroids are round, some are elongated, and some even have a satellite. A comet also orbits the Sun, but unlike an asteroid, it’s composed of ice and dust. So, when a comet gets close to the Sun, its ice and dust content start to vaporize. So, when seen in a telescope, a comet appears fuzzy and/or has a tail.

Detailed explanation-2: -The S-types ("stony") are made up of silicate materials and nickel-iron. The M-types are metallic (nickel-iron). The asteroids’ compositional differences are related to how far from the Sun they formed.

Detailed explanation-3: -So, the basic difference between comets and asteroids comes down to their composition, place of origin, orbits, and morphology. Most asteroids are rocky bodies that lie within the asteroid belt, while comets are dirty snowballs and can come from the Oort Cloud.

Detailed explanation-4: -The main difference between comet and meteor is that a comet is a cosmic object made of ice, gases, rock and dust that orbits the Sun while a meteor is a meteoroid that has entered the Earth’s atmosphere. Meteors, meteoroids, meteorites, and asteroids are all objects that originate in the space.

Detailed explanation-5: -An asteroid is a small rocky object that orbits the Sun. A meteor is what happens when a small piece of an asteroid or comet, called a meteoroid, burns up upon entering Earth’s atmosphere. Read on to find out more and learn the difference between asteroids and comets, meteoroids and meteorites, and more!