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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASTEROIDS AND COMETS

Fun facts about the universe
What’s the difference between asteroids and comets?

Look at these images, they are asteroids, and comets.
You’ve heard talk about asteroids and comets many times, but… Do you know what they are? Can you differentiate them?

Asteroids and comets, are rocky and frozen remains, which exist since the formation of the solar system. When they are close to our planet, we can see them in plain sight. And some of them are beautiful, like this comet.

Asteroids and comets, are differentiated because of their composition, and their size.

Asteroids, are usually larger than comets, and are composed of rock and metal. so the sun’s heat hardly affects them. Also, asteroids don’t have a tail, remember that!

Comets, are composed of ice, rock, dust, and organic compounds, and are recognised, because they do have, really looong tails. The most famous one, is comet Halley, which can be seen from Earth, approximately every 75 years. Although seen from the surface of our planet, it looks gigantic and as if it’s tail could measure millions of kilometres, comet Halley is veeery small, measures 15km long and 8 wide. Also, it’s in the shape of a peanut. The universe is so cool isn’t it?