There are different types of rocks that can be found in space, including rocky planets like Earth that are large balls of rock, dwarf planets that are smaller rocky bodies, moons which are rocks that orbit planets, and asteroids and comets which are small rocks and mixtures of rock and ice that orbit the Sun. Meteoroids are small rocks in space that can enter the Earth's atmosphere as meteors, and any pieces that reach the ground are called meteorites.

1. ROCKS FROM SPACE
In color

2. Learning Outcomes
I can explain the difference between the types of rock
in space
I can talk about the probability that a rock from space
might CRASH INTO THE EARTH

3. Rocky
Planets
Balls of rock so large
they are round and
dominate their region
in space, orbit the
Sun

4. Dwarf
Planets
Smaller balls of rock:
roundish, not
necessarily dominant
in their area, orbit the
Sun

5. Moons
Rocks that orbit
planets

6. Asteroids
Small rocks that orbit
the Sun

7. Comet
Tiny bits of rock and
ice that orbit the Sun.
Like dirty snowballs.

8. Meteoroid
A little rock in space

9. Meteor
A streak of light as a
meteoroid enters the
atmosphere (which
causes heating)

10. Meteorite
If any of the
meteoroid survives,
the little bit of rock left
over is called a
meteorite