Explorations: Introduction to Astronomy (Arny), 6th Edition

Chapter 10: The Outer Planets

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  • Numerous objects much smaller than the planets orbit the Sun.
    • Rocky objects—the asteroids
    • Icy objects—the comets
  • These objects are left over from the formation of the Solar System.
  • Fragments of these objects reach Earth from time to time as meteoroids.
  • When such a fragment enters our atmosphere, it is heated by friction with the air and glows, creating a “shooting star.”
  • Earth has been struck in the past by very large objects, which may have caused mass extinctions.

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