Difference Between Comets and Asteroids
Comets and asteroids are both celestial objects that exist within our solar system, yet they differ in a variety of ways. Here are the main differences between comets and asteroids:
Composition
One of the most significant differences between comets and asteroids lies in their composition. Comets are made up of ice, dust, and small rock particles, whereas asteroids are composed primarily of rock and metal. Comets are often referred to as “dirty snowballs,” due to the frozen water and gases that make up their composition, while asteroids are considered to be more like “mini-planets.”
Appearance
When it comes to looks, comets and asteroids also differ greatly. Comets are known for their distinct, long tails, which are formed as the sun’s heat melts the frozen gases and materials on the comet’s surface. The tails can stretch out for millions of miles and create a beautiful, glowing spectacle in the night sky. On the other hand, asteroids typically have a more irregular shape and no visible tail.
Orbit
Another significant difference between comets and asteroids is their orbit. Comets have highly elongated orbits that take them far away from the sun and then back in towards it, while asteroids have more circular orbits that keep them relatively close to the sun. Comets generally take years to orbit around the sun, while asteroids have shorter orbits that range from just a few months to a few years.
Size
Comets and asteroids also vary in size. Comets can range from a few hundred meters to over 100 kilometers in diameter, making them much larger than most asteroids. However, asteroids are far more numerous than comets, with millions of them existing within our solar system.
In conclusion, both comets and asteroids are fascinating celestial objects, yet they differ in their composition, appearance, orbit, and size. Learning more about these objects can help us better understand the complexity of our solar system and the universe at large.
Table difference between comets and asteroids
| Comets | Asteroids |
|---|---|
| Comets are composed of ice, dust, and rocky particles. | Asteroids are composed of metal and rocky particles. |
| Comets have a distinct coma and tail caused by the melting of their icy components as they approach the sun. | Asteroids do not have a coma or tail. |
| Comets come from the outer regions of the solar system and have highly eccentric elliptical orbits. | Asteroids are found in the asteroid belt located between Jupiter and Mars and have more circular orbits. |
| Comets are usually smaller than asteroids. | Asteroids can range in size from a few feet to several hundred miles in diameter. |
| Comets are often called “dirty snowballs” due to the mixture of ice and dust they contain. | Asteroids are sometimes referred to as “minor planets” or “planetoids.” |