Real World: Small Bodies Orbiting the Sun
In addition to planets and their moons, there are many small bodies orbiting the Sun. How did these bodies form? Learn more about comets and asteroids and the role these play in our Solar System, as well as NASA's Rosetta and NEOWISE missions.
Discussion and writing prompts
1. Although they are much smaller than planets, asteroids, comets, and other small bodies play an important role in helping scientists understand the solar system. Choose one type of small body and explain what it can reveal about the history of our solar system.
2. Asteroids, comets, and meteoroids all orbit the Sun, but they differ in composition, appearance, and behavior. How do these differences help scientists classify them and better understand where they formed? Create a comparison explaining how two different types of small bodies are alike and how they are different. Include why those differences matter to scientists.
3. Small bodies have shaped the history of our solar system by contributing material to planets and occasionally colliding with them. How can studying the paths and characteristics of these objects help scientists protect Earth and plan future space missions?
Background Information
Grades 3 through 8
- NASA eClips Our World: The Stories Moon Rocks Tell (video)
- NASA Space Place Thirsty? Have a Comet! (website)
- NASA Space Place Asteroid or Meteor: What's the Difference? (website)
- NASA Space Place What Is An Asteroid? (website)
- NASA Space Place What's Is a Comet? (website)
Grades 3 through 12
- NASA eClips Ask SME: Lunar Sample Curator Dr. Ryan Zeigler (video)
- NASA eClips Ask SME: Artist and Astromaterials 3D Science Principal Investigator Erika Blumenfeld (video)
- NASA Asteroid and Comet Resources (webpage)
Grades 4 through 12
- NASA eClips Real World: Close Encounters with an Asteroid (video)
- NASA eClips Real World: Using Math and New Tech to Study Lunar Rocks (video)
Grades 5 through 12
- NASA Asteroid Fast Facts (webpage)
- NASA JPL What's That Space Rock? (website)
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA Asteroids, Comets, & Meteors (website)
- NASA NEOWISE (website)
Activities
Grades 3 through 5
- NASA Modeling an Asteroid (webpage)
Grades 3 through 8
- NASA eClips Our World: Crater Maps and Earth Landforms (pdf)
- NASA eClips Guide Lites: Crater Maps (pdf)
- NASAatHome Asteroid Activity (video)
- NASA Space Place Make Asteroids You Can Eat! (webpage)
- Lunar Planetary Institute Space Rocks! (webpage)
Grades 3 through 12
- NASA Astromaterials 3D (interactive)
Grades 4 through 8
- NASA StarChild (interactive)
Grades 4 through 12
- NASA Eyes on Asteroids (interactive)
Grades 6 through 12
- NASA Exploring Meteorite Mysteries (pdf)
Grades 7 through 9
- Teach Engineering Asteroids (webpage)
Grades 8 through 12
- NASA and Destination Asteroid (website)