Cosmic Wanderers: Exploring Asteroids and Comets

Cosmic Wanderers: Exploring Asteroids and Comets

Learning Objective

Understand the differences between asteroids and comets and their significance in the solar system.

What do you already know about asteroids and comets?

Introduction to Asteroids and Comets

Asteroids and comets are small celestial bodies that orbit the Sun. They have different compositions and behaviors.

Asteroids

Asteroids are rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of the solar system. They are mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Comets

Comets are icy bodies that release gas or dust. They have highly elliptical orbits that bring them close to the Sun, leading to the formation of a visible coma and tail.

Comets

Comets are icy bodies that release gas or dust. They have highly elliptical orbits that bring them close to the Sun, leading to the formation of a visible coma and tail.

Composition

Asteroids are made of metals and rocky material, while comets are composed of ice, dust, and organic compounds.

Impact on Earth and Space Exploration

Asteroids can potentially impact Earth, while comets have contributed to the formation of Earth's water and may provide clues about the early solar system.

Observing and Studying Asteroids and Comets

Scientists use telescopes, spacecraft, and missions to study asteroids and comets, gaining insights into their characteristics and behaviors.

Interactive Activity: Classifying Objects

Students will classify given objects as either asteroids or comets based on provided characteristics.

Conclusion

Recap the key differences between asteroids and comets, and their significance in the solar system and space exploration.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.