By Sakshi Sah
Published Feb 16, 2025

Hindustan Times
Trending

Photo Credit: NASA

Asteroids vs Comets: What sets them apart in space?

Are you curious about the difference between asteroids and comets? 

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Let’s explore these fascinating space objects and see what makes them unique.

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Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun. 

Photo Credit: NASA

They appear as tiny points of light when viewed through a telescope.

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Most asteroids are located in the asteroid belt, which lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

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Comets, like asteroids, orbit the Sun, but they are made up of ice and dust, not rock.

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When a comet gets close to the Sun, its ice and dust start to vaporise, creating a fuzzy appearance and a bright tail.

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Unlike asteroids, which appear as points of light, comets look fuzzy and often have a visible tail when seen through a telescope.

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