2007-06-27 03:01:30 · 8 answers · asked by mike m 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A comet never enters the Earth's atmosphere. It is just an asteroid in a very elongated orbit and with an icy surface that partly evaporates and gets blown away from the comet to make a tail when it gets close to the Sun. It can be seen in the sky for days, weeks, or even months, moving so slowly across the sky that it seems to stand still, just like the Moon does. It rises and sets just like the Moon does, changing position from day to day, but not moving noticeably in one day.
A meteor is just the brief flash of light, lasting a few seconds or less, moving very fast across the sky, and caused when a small piece of dust or rock from outer space enters the Earth's atmosphere.
2007-06-27 03:08:19 · answer #1 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Meteor vs. Comet
What is the different between a meteor and a comet?
A meteoroid is a rock, whereas a comet is more like a snowball, although most of the ice is not water ice. When a comet gets close to the Sun, it starts to melt, and the gas that is given off glows, giving you a comet tail. Meteoroids are very difficult to see unless they enter the Earth's atmosphere, when they heat up and give a bright streak in the sky. It is the streak that is called a meteor. If any part of the meteoroid survives to hit the ground (most don't), it's called a meteorite.
Dr. Eric Christian
(March 2000)
2007-06-27 03:16:53 · answer #2 · answered by beebeep 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A comet is a small, icy body (about 200 miles in diameter, give or take) that periodically orbits the sun. Most comets have eccentric orbits that can take them from within the orbit of Mercury to the outer edges of the solar system. When comets approach the sun, increased solar radiation causes their ices to vaporize, creating the familiar coma and tail that we associate with comets.
Meteors are essentially solid bodies that enter earth's atmosphere (aka 'shooting stars'). Meteors range in size from sand grains to boulders, and if they survive the plunge, are known as meteorites. Many meteors are debris from matter ejected from comets...over time, this ejecta leaves a trail which crosses earth's orbit. The spectacular result is the recurring meteor showers we witness during certain times of the year.
2007-06-27 03:19:08 · answer #3 · answered by swilliamrex 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a comet is on a set path until it burns itself out. think of halley's comet. it's arrival & departure , path of travel, etc., is a near-given. a meteor? just a hunk of rock, broken off from a much larger hunk of rock just whizzing through space with no particular place to go or destination in mind. meteors are more danagerous because of this. it goes where it wants to 'cause it can.
2007-06-27 03:09:48 · answer #4 · answered by blackjack432001 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meteors are traveling at perhaps 30,000 mph. and very heavy. A Comet may be traveling at 150,000 mph. and small in mass compared to a meteor .
2007-06-27 03:13:46 · answer #5 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply put, a comet is a meteor that has entered the earth's atmosphere and has caught on fire.
2007-06-27 03:10:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A comet is a ball of ice. most are in orbit beyond Pluto. Asteroids are metal and have various origins. Some are from the asteroid belt between mars and jupiter, while others are from beyond our solar system.
2007-06-27 03:30:28 · answer #7 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
comets are like ice balls. they're made of ice.
meteors are solid rock objects.
2007-06-27 03:25:19 · answer #8 · answered by ♥ F@$H!0N ♥ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋