Minor Bodies Summary

Asteroids are lumps of rock that orbit the Sun.

Most asteroids are found in the Asteroid Belt.

Nearby asteroids are called Potentially Hazardous Asteroids.

Meteorites are bits of space debris which fall to the surface of a planet or moon.

Meteors are meteorites that don't make it to the ground but burn up in the atmosphere.

Meteors often fall in meteor showers.

Meteor showers are thought to be caused by the remains of comets.

Comets are made of rock, dust and frozen gases.

Comets originate from beyond Pluto.

Comets fall into elliptical or parabolic orbits.

The nearer a comet is to the Sun, the longer its tail becomes.

The tail of a comet is always blown away from the Sun.