Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

8 Zest for Progress

Z Peal of artnership

Science Grade 8
Quarter 2 - Module 6
Comets, Asteroids, and
Meteors

Name of Learner: ___________________________

Grade & Section: ___________________________
Name of School: ___________________________
Module Comets, Asteriods, and
6 Meteors

What I need to know

This module was designed to help you master the concepts behind Comets,
Asteroids and Meteors. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary
level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the
course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the
textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Compare and contrast comets, meteors and asteroids (S8S-IIg-22)

Furthermore, you should be able to accomplish the following subtasks:

2. distinguish the differences between a comet and an asteroid;
3. identify the characteristics of a meteoroid, meteor and meteorite;
4. describe the scientific basis behind superstitions about comets, asteroids and
meteors;

What I need to know

In this module, we will learn about celestial objects or NEO (Near Earth
Objects) hovering above our Earth’s atmosphere but before getting into the
topic, do you still remember your lesson about the layers of the atmosphere in
grade 7? If so, let us test your prior knowledge.
Activity 1.1 Layers of the Atmosphere
Directions: Below is an illustration of the Earth’s atmosphere. Label the layer of the
atmosphere that corresponds to Exosphere, Troposphere, Stratosphere,
Thermosphere and Mesosphere. Write your answer in the box provided below.

In the previous activity, you were reminded about the composition and what’s
inside the Earth’s atmosphere. It’s now time for you to know about celestial bodies
beyond our atmosphere.

What’s In
Activity 1.2: Care to say something?
In the next page are three photos describing the impact of Near-Earth Objects
(NEO) or extra-terrestrial bodies in the solar system.
Give a brief explanation on what do you think is happening in each picture and write it
down in the appropriate column.
 Describe what you What do you think are
see its impacts towards
Earth?
comet

Activity 1.3. Who am I?

Directions: Label each picture correctly. Is it a meteorite, meteoroid or a meteor?
(5 pts each)

15

1.____________________ 2.___________________ 3.__________________

Activity 1.4. Superstitious or Fact? 5

Directions. The following sentences below are statements and descriptions

regarding celestial objects in our solar system. Write Superstitious, if you think that
the statement is just a myth or make believe. Write Fact if you think that the
statement is backed up by scientific evidence. Write your answer in the space
provided below.
________1. Meteors were caused by witches.
________2. A comet entering Earth is extremely dangerous.
________3. You only wish on a shooting star so that your dreams will come true.
________ 4. A meteorite once caused the extinction of dinosaurs million years ago.
________ 5. A comet approaching the Earth signifies that world war 3 is coming.

What is It
How did you find the previous activities? If your answers are related to comets,
asteroids, craters, meteors and even shooting stars, and you know a thing or two about
superstitious beliefs mentioned above, then congratulations, you are on your way
towards awesome learning!

Look up in the sky! It’s a comet!

Comets and asteroids are referred to by astronomers as Near-Earth Objects
(NEO). Comets are icy bodies or objects while asteroids are rocky fragments. They
are remnants from the formation of our solar system 4.6 billion years ago
Comets and asteroids have irregular shapes and varied sizes. They both reflect
light from the sun in varying amounts depending on the size and composition. The
presence of more silicates allows a comet or asteroid to reflect light.
Comets and asteroids both orbit around the sun. This means, you can see a
comet for up to a year in the night sky. The major difference is their origin or where
they came from in space.
 Comets usually come from the Oort Cloud which is beyond our solar system,
and a few from Kuiper Belt, which is just beyond Neptune’s orbit. Long period
comets come from the Oort Cloud while short period comets come from the
Kuiper Belt ( as seen in Figure 1).Comet Halley, the most famous short period comet
in the 20th century, can be seen in the sky every time it makes its nearest approach to
the sun. It orbits the sun for around 75-79 years.

Figure 1. Location of Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud

(Photo grabbed from NASA space place)

Asteroids, on the other hand, originate from the Main Asteroid Belt between
Mars and Jupiter. This belt is theorized by scientists to be remnants of a planet that
did not completely form. The orbit of an asteroid is more rounded and elliptical than
the orbit of a comet. In February 2013, Asteroid 2012 DA14 made a very close
approach to Earth as it orbited the sun. It is the closest that any asteroid has ever been
to Earth. In December 2012, during the midst of the doomsday prophecies, Asteroid
Toutatis also made a near approach to Earth but not as close as Asteroid 2012 DA14.
Another difference between a comet and an asteroid is their chemical
composition. Sometimes, a comet may contain other elements like sodium or argon
while asteroid is mostly composed of rock (silicates) and metals (iron and nickel being
the usual metals)
The composition of a comet is important in helping scientists understand how
Earth has liquid water, making our planet liveable. They believed that the early impact
of comets on Earth brought liquid water to the planet. The chemical composition of
Asteroid helps provide clues for scientists in discovering the chemical composition of
the Earth since asteroids are mostly composed of metals like iron and nickel, the same
metals that make up Earth’s core. The table 1 below summarizes the similarities and
differences of a comet and asteroid:
Table 1: Comparison of a comet and an asteroid
Characteristic Comet Asteroid
Origin Oort cloud and Kuiper Belt Main Asteroid Belt
Shape Varied/Irregular Varied/Irregular
 Size range diameter 1-10 (nucleus only) 1- 100
Chemical composition Ice (frozen water);frozen Silicates, iron, nickel
gases (ammonia, methane
and carbon dioxide); other
organic compounds
Orbit Highly elliptical More rounded
Orbital period (years) 75 – 100,000 plus 1-100
Comets and asteroids orbit around the sun, but it is theorized by scientists that
other planets in our solar system can influence and alter the orbital path of these
NEOs, thus they come crashing towards Earth. It is important for scientists to study
the orbital periods of these NEOs to be able to tell when these objects would make
their closest appearance near the Earth and predict the likelihood of NEOs collision
with the Earth. While asteroids and comets have collided with Earth in the past, the
frequency is very much longer than a human lifetime, so there is no need to worry for
now.
How about meteor showers? Are comets and meteors the same?
You have probably seen a shooting star in the night sky, right? That streak of
light you see in the atmosphere which seems to appear falling on the ground, is called
a meteor. Truth be told, meteors that look like “shooting stars” are not stars at all. In
fact, a meteor is a light phenomenon that occurs when a meteoroid burns up as it
enters the earth’s atmosphere. A meteoroid is a broken up rock and dust from either
a comet, asteroid, the Moon or from Mars. A meteoroid becomes a meteor when it
falls through the atmosphere, and we see it shoot across the sky.
How are a meteor, meteoroid and meteorite related?
You already know that meteoroid can come from a comet or an asteroid.
Meteoroids, which are made from dust and fragments of a comet, hurl through the
atmosphere so fast that they heat and actually burn very brightly. We then observe
many streaks of light from the night sky which is called meteors. When Earth’s orbit
passes through a trail of comet debris, there are many meteors visible in a single
night – a phenomenon called meteor shower. But every now and then, large
meteors make it all the way to the Earth’s atmosphere, and fall to the ground (Earth’s
crust) – then they are called meteorites. Figure 2 below summarizes the
characteristics of a meteoroid, meteor and meteorite.

Figure 2. Journey of a meteor

(Photo grabbed from taylorsciencegeeks.weebly)
 Meteorites entering the Earth’s crust are of importance to scientists in studying
the occurrence of different elements and compounds on Earth. Through this
information, mineral resources are being carefully studied and analysed. There are
three types of meteorites: stony, stony-iron and iron meteorites. In the Philippines,
there are only five internationally accepted meteorites summarized in the table 2
below:
Table 2: Meteorites discovered in the Philippines
Meteorite Year of Place Type Chemical
discovery discovered composition
Pampanga 1859 Pampanga stony Iron, nickel
Paitan 1910 Ilocos stony Iron, magnesium
Calivo 1916 Western stony Not determined
Visayas
Pantar 1938 Central stony Iron, magnesium
Mindanao iron silicate
Bondoc 1956 Southern iron Metallic iron
Tagalog nickel
As you can see from the table, the meteorites found in our ground are very rich
in mineral resources. The presence of these meteorites and impact craters hold much
potential for the mining industry aside from being objects of scientific scrutiny.

What’s More
Activity 1.5: Compare and contrast.
You have now learned the different characteristics of a comet and an asteroid.
Let us now test your knowledge!
12

Directions: Use the Venn diagram below to make a comparison between a comet
and an asteroid. Write characteristics that only a comet possesses in the left side of
the circle and characteristics of an asteroid on the right side. Write the similarities of a
comet and an asteroid in the center circle. Choose your answers from the word bank
provided for you below.

COMET ASTEROID

BOTH
COMET AND
ASTEROID
 Venn Diagram Word bank

Varried/Irregular shape a type of NEO Highly elliptical

Made from icy objects comes from Oort cloud more rounded orbit

Made from rocky fragments comes from Asteroid belt made from silicates

Orbits the sun comes from Kuiper Belt “leftovers” from solar system

In the previous activity, you were able to compare comets and asteroids. This
time, let us test your newly acquired knowledge on the differences between a
meteor, meteoroid, and meteorite.
Activity 1.6. Draw me the symbol
Directions: Show where a meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite are most likely to be
found in the diagram below. (5 points for every correct symbol)
Use the following symbols for each:
meteor;
15
meteoroid;
meteorite

Activity 1.7 True or False.

10

Directions: Below is a passage/article about comets, asteroids and meteors. Encircle

the underlined words if you think that the sentences are factual. If the
phrase/statement is false, put an X mark on the underlined word and write the
correct word above it. (2 points each)
Example:
Earth is the only livable planet in the solar system.
3rd
Earth is the 4th planet from the Sun.
 1. Most of the asteroids in the solar system orbit the sun between Jupiter and Mars in
an area known as the Kuiper Belt.
2. Comet Hailey makes its nearest approach to Earth every 75-59 years.
3. Sometimes, tiny bits of asteroids reach the Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, leaving
a bright trail called meteor.
4. Meteoroids are meteors that strike the earth.
5. Five meteorites were discovered in the Philippines.

Activity 1.8 Who Am I? 9

You are now becoming a pro! You have already completed activities in distinguishing
different types of Near Earth Objects (NEO). Let us further test your capabilities and
answer the activity below:
Directions: You are to identify whether the description below matches that of a
comet, asteroid or a meteor. Put a check to all the boxes that apply.
Comet Asteroid Meteor

Forms belt between

Jupiter and Mars

Orbits around the

sun

also called “shooting

stars”

Found in the Oort

cloud and Kuiper
belt
Usually burn up in
the atmosphere

Ball of gas and

dust
 What I Have Learned

Have you learned something valuable from this week’s module? If so, share to me the
things you found interesting in this lesson.

I am interested in learning about comparing comets, asteroids and meteors

First I know that comets are _______________________

Second I know that asteroids are______________________

Finally, I know that meteoroids are____________________

Now you know something that I know about _________________________

What I Can Do
Activity 1.9 Superstitious beliefs!
Congratulations! You are now equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge about
the characteristics of celestial bodies in space. But did you know that in the early days
even until now, NEOs are associated with superstitious beliefs that had impacted and
influenced the society’s way of living? Let us investigate further!
Directions: Make an argumentative essay about superstitions related to comets and
asteroids. Gather at least 3 superstitions through the internet, or by interviewing your
parents and elders in your house. List down as many scientific evidences that support
the said superstitions. Last but not the least, propose doable actions that you can do
to promote a more scientific attitude towards comets, asteroids, and meteors to your
fellow students or to family members. The given rubrics below will be used for scoring
the essay:
Argumentative essay rubrics:

4 3 2 1

MAIN POINTS 3 main points 3 main points 3 main points Less than 3 main
are well are present but are present but points with poor
developed with may lack detail all lacks development of
supporting and development ideas
details development

ORGANIZATION Very well Clear words are Some pieces of Arrangement of

organized and used information are essay is unclear
informative not clear and is and illogical
hard to follow
MECHANICS Sentence Sentence Work contains Work contains
structure is structure is structural multiple incorrect
correct. generally weaknesses and sentence
Punctuation and correct. One or grammatical structures
capitalization is two errors in errors
correct punctuation and
capitalization

Assessment 15
Directions. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. What do asteroids and comets have in common?
a. They both orbit the sun.
b. They both have the same shapes and sizes.
c. They both have the same orbital radius.
d. They have nothing in common
2. Why do asteroids and comets differ in position?
a. Asteroids formed inside the frost line, while comets formed outside
b. Asteroids and comets formed at different times
c. Comets are much larger than asteroids
d. Asteroids are much larger than comets
3. The following choices below are characteristics of an asteroid EXCEPT;
a. Has varied/irregular shape c. It orbits around the sun
b. Found in the Kuiper belt d. Composed of rocky fragments
4. Where is the asteroid belt located?
a. Just outside the solar system
b. In between the Sun and the Earth
c. In between Mars and Jupiter
d. Just beside the pluto
5. Which of the description below best defines what a comet is?
a. Smallest dwarf planets
b. Shooting stars that emit light
c. Icy objects in the space
d. Rocky fragments of dust

6. Which of the following statements about comet is correct?

a. Comets come from rocky fragments that are said to be remnants of a
planet
b. It is a streak of light that passes and falls to the Earth’s surface
c. Comets are mainly located in between Mars and Jupiter
d. They can be found in the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud
7. What do you call the most famous comet of the 20th century which is visible
from Earth every 75-76 years.
a. Comet Hale bopp b. Comet Halley c. Comet Hailey d. Comet Hell
8. Where are long period comets usually located?
a. Kuiper Belt b. Oort Cloud c. Asteroid Belt d. Moon
9. Where are short period comets usually located?
a. Kuiper Belt b. Oort cloud c. Asteroid belt d. Moon
10. The main asteroid belt lies in between the orbits of ___________.
a. Earth and Mars
b. Saturn and Jupiter
c. Venus and Earth
d. Mars and Jupiter
11. How do a meteoroid and a meteorite differ in terms of location?
a. Meteoroids are far up in the sky, while meteorites have already landed on
Earth
b. Meteorites are far up in the sky, while meteoroids have already landed on
Earth
c. Meteorites emit light while meteoroids emit lightning speed
d. Meteoroids emit light while meteorites emit lightning speed
12. What is a meteorite?
a. A streak of light caused by a star passing by in the night sky
b. A small moon that orbits one of the giant planets
c. A fragment from an asteroid that falls on the earth’s surface
d. A streak of light caused by a small particle from space burning up in the
Earth’s atmosphere
13. All of the choices below are the three types of meteorites EXCEPT;
a. Stony b. Stony-iron c. Stony d. Iron
14. What is a meteor?
a. A shooting star in the night sky emitting light
b. A fragment of the sun heading towards Earth
c. Group of stars entering Earth’s atmosphere
d. A light emitted by a space rock burning towards Earth’s atmosphere
15. What is a meteor shower?
a. A piece of rock entering Earth’s crust
b. A ball of large icy fragment orbiting around the sun
c. It happens when Earth’s orbit passes through a trail of comet debris
d. Group of stars falling and passing through the earth’s atmosphere
 Additional Activities 5

By now, you already have all the information in comparing Comets,

Asteroids and Meteors. To further enrich your knowledge, answer the
activity below.
Activity 1.10 Fill me up!
Directions: Supply the missing letters to complete the word/s that is
being described below.
1. Comets can be usually found in the Oort Cloud. Few comets can
also be found in which part of the Solar System?

___ ___ ___ P ___ R ___ E ___ T

2. An extraterrestrial body that has a shorter orbital period.

A ___ ___ E R ___ I ___

3. When a meteoroid passes through Earth’s atmosphere and burns

up in the process

___ E ___ E ___ R

4. What celestial objects can a meteoroid come from?

__ O __ E __ , A __ S T __ R __ I D
5. It happens when the Earth intersects a comet’s path and moves
through the stream of debris and dust emitted by the comet.

M __ T __ __ R S __ O __ E __
 References
Books:
Department of Education. (2013) Grade 8 learner’s module. Department of Education Madriaga, E.A.,
Valdoz, M.P., Aquino, M.D., & Castillo, M.A.B. (2015)
Website:
The Comet’s tale: Their Place in Space
http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/segwayed/lessons/cometstale/frame_place.html

Meteors, Meteoroids, and Meteorites

http://www.pibburns.com/catastro/meteors.htm#meteorshowers

NASA: Space Place, Explore Earth and Space

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/comet-ocean/en/

Meteorites Facts
https://universavvy.com/meteorites-facts

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