17

Given an image or animation of a body in space, the learner identifies it as a comet when (and only when) it is a frozen body of ice, dust, and rock that orbits the Sun (visible tail near the Sun; no tail when far from the Sun).

grade level
5
frames
16

Look closely at this object moving through space as you determine its identity.

We can see a bright image of Comet ISON captured as it passes very close to the Sun. The intense heat causes the ice to vaporize rapidly, creating a brilliantly glowing core and a spectacular, long tail for us to observe.
We can see a bright image of Comet ISON captured as it passes very close to the Sun. The intense heat causes the ice to vaporize rapidly, creating a brilliantly glowing core and a spectacular, long tail for us to observe.

Prompt

Based on its glowing tail, what is this object?