1. What causes the seasons?
Objective 05/23/2013
Explain why comets, asteroids, and meteoroids are important to the study of the formation of the solar system.
Intro
What causes the seasons?

2. Reasons for Seasons Seasons Earth’s tilt is 23.5 degrees
Equator always gets direct energy from the Sun
Farther you get from equator the more indirect the light becomes

3. Reasons for Seasons
The part tilted toward the sun receives more of the suns energy creating the summer season.
The part tilted away from the sun receives less energy creating the winter season.

4. Small Objects in the Solar System

5. Small Objects in the Solar System
Comet
Small object of ice, rock and cosmic dust
Follows an elliptical orbit around the Sun
Gives off gases and dust as it passes close to the Sun
Originates in the Oort cloud

6. Small Objects in the Solar System
Comet tails
Solar radiation heats the ice so it gives off gas and dust in form of two distinct tails
Ion tail
Dust tail

7. Small Objects in the Solar System
Comet’s orbit
Elliptical orbit
Dust tail – always follows path of orbit
Ion tail – always points away from Sun

9. Small Objects in the Solar System
Asteroid
Large, rocky object that orbits Sun
Found in asteroid belt
Vary in size, shape and composition

10. Small Objects in the Solar System
Meteoroid
Meteor
Small, rocky body that travels through space
Most are small pieces broken off from asteroids
Bright streak of light when meteoroid burns up in Earth’s atmosphere

11. Small Objects in the Solar System
Meteorite
Meteor that reaches Earth’s surface without burning up completely

14. Small Objects in the Solar System
Future impacts?
Most meteor’s burn up in Earth’s atmosphere and never reach Earth’s surface
Large meteor’s have hit Earth and left behind craters
Global catastrophe from impacts occur about every few hundred thousand years

17. What is the difference between a comet, asteroid and meteoroid?
Objective 05/23/2013
Explain why comets, asteroids, and meteoroids are important to the study of the formation of the solar system.
Outro
What is the difference between a comet, asteroid and meteoroid?