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Comet Webquest
Teams of scientists are using small, maneuverable space stations to venture out in our solar system to study comets and asteroids. Scientists believe
these are the oldest bodies in the Solar System. Some scientists believe they
may even provide information about how the earth and the solar system were created.
When traveling to the Challenger Space Center, you will continue this important
study as a team of scientists and engineers in “Rendezvous with a Comet”. In
order to become familiar with your mission you will need to learn about comets.
Using the internet and class discussions, answer as many of the
following questions as possible.
Solar views
Purdue’s All About Comets
Anatomy of a Comet
Comets and Asteroids at National Space Science Data Collection
Comet Observation Home Page
STARDUST Home Page
Short Period and Long Period Comet
NASA Comet Fact Sheet
NASA Videos
1. Describe what a comet is using scientific terms.
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2. What is the head of a comet called? Describe it.
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3. Why does a comet have a tail on the end of it? Explain.
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4. What is the difference between a short period and long period comet?
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5. Do all comets have tails? Why or why not?
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6. Why are comets important to scientists?
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7. What are some more questions you have about comets?
8. Now play a few of these games and see what you learned about comets.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/activities/radiobuttonquiz/Cometpz.shtml
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/stardust/index.shtml