Introduction

Ahoy Mates! Grab your shovels and dig into the further reaches of cyberspace. There's a lot to learn in this information age. Using the Web allows you to unearth more treasures than you may have ever known possible. Below is a list of questions about Asteroids. Surf the Internet links on this page to find answers to the questions. Don't forget the Big Question. Have fun and 'Happy Treasure Hunting.'

Questions

1. Where do most scientists think asteroids come from?
   
   
2. How many asteroids are there? How many are known? About how many do they think are unknown? What is their total mass equal to?
   
   
3. What are asteroids made of? Why are they not considered planets?
   
   
4. Where are most asteroids found?
   
   
5. Scientists think that an asteroid collided with the earth on the Yucatan Penninsula and started a chain of events. What did this chain of events lead to?
   What prevents the inner planets from being bombarded by asteroids?
   
   
6. What is an asteroid called when it is on a collision course with the earth?
   
   
7. There is a gap between Mars and Jupiter. Scientist expected to find a _____________ there. What did they find instead?
   
   
8. Do asteroids have an atmosphere?
   
   
9. View the pictures of asteroids and tell what spacecraft was the 1st to photograph an asteroid up close.
   

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   The Internet Resources

   • Windows of the Universe - U of Michigan and NASA *****
   • The Nine Planets - U of Arizonea - Asteroids *****
   • Views of the Solar System - Asteroids - Hawaiian Astronomical Society *****
   • StarDate - U of Texas - Asteroids ****
   • StarChild - Asteroids - Choose Information on two levels *****
   • Space Educator's Handbook - Asteroids ***
   • NASA - What Are Asteroids? ***
   • NSSDC Photo Gallery - Asteroids
   
   
   

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   The Big Question

   What effect have asteroids had on life on earth in the past? How do they continue to effect life on earth?