For each of the descriptions below, determine which type of small body in the solar system it describes by marking the appropriate column. (1 point)

Comet Meteor Meteorite Meteoroid Galaxy Planet Moon Star Asteroid
Small, rocky object that orbits the sun.

Solar wind causes a tail-like appearance of this celestial body as it orbits the sun.

An object that has entered Earth's atmosphere, usually referred to as a "shooting star."

Has enough mass to cause a round shape.

An object made mostly of iron that exists in space.

Natural objects that orbit around a planet.

An object that has made contact with Earth's surface after traveling through space.

This is a huge collection of stars amassed together.

The process of nuclear fusion causes this object to emit light.

A large object that orbits a star.

A celestial body made of dust and ice among other substances.

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1 answer

Here are the appropriate classifications for each description based on your criteria:

| Description | Comet | Meteor | Meteorite | Meteoroid | Galaxy | Planet | Moon | Star | Asteroid | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|--------|-----------|-----------|--------|--------|------|------|----------| | Small, rocky object that orbits the sun. | | | | | | | | | ✅ | | Solar wind causes a tail-like appearance of this celestial body as it orbits the sun. | ✅ | | | | | | | | | | An object that has entered Earth's atmosphere, usually referred to as a "shooting star." | | ✅ | | | | | | | | | Has enough mass to cause a round shape. | | | | | | ✅ | | | | | An object made mostly of iron that exists in space. | | | | | | | | | ✅ | | Natural objects that orbit around a planet. | | | | | | | ✅ | | | | An object that has made contact with Earth's surface after traveling through space. | | | ✅ | | | | | | | | This is a huge collection of stars amassed together. | | | | | ✅ | | | | | | The process of nuclear fusion causes this object to emit light. | | | | | | | | ✅ | | | A large object that orbits a star. | | | | | | ✅ | | | | | A celestial body made of dust and ice among other substances. | ✅ | | | | | | | | |

Key:

  • ✅ = Matches the description
  • Blank = Does not match the description

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