Science 8 - SIM - Q2 - Module 6 - Week 6
Science 8 - SIM - Q2 - Module 6 - Week 6
Science 8
Quarter 2 – Module 6:
Asteroids, Comets
And Meteors
Science 8
Self-Learning Module (SLM)
Quarter 2 – Module 6: Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors
First Edition, 2020
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Science 8
Quarter 2 – Module 6:
Asteroids, Comets
and Meteors
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.
In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:
As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
For the learner:
The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action, and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create, and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.
What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.
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skill into real life situations or concerns.
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!
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What I Need to Know
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors. The scope of this module permits it to
be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the
diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the
standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.
What I Know
Before you would proceed further, here are some questions for you to answer
to test your previous knowledge about asteroids, comets, and meteors.
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3. What is the main difference between asteroids and meteoroids?
A. Asteroids are pieces of comets, whereas meteoroids are pieces of space
debris
B. Asteroids are only found in the “belt” between Mars and Jupiter
C. Meteoroids are generally bigger than asteroids
D. Asteroids are generally bigger than meteoroids
6. What part of the comet forms around a comet's nucleus? This cloud is made
by solar wind striking the surface of the nucleus, causing a mixture of gas and
dust to form around it.
A. Coma
B. Fire
C. Light
D. Ring
7. What type asteroids that is rich in metallic substances such as nickel- iron,
giving them reddish in color?
A. C – type C. N – type
B. M – type D. S – type
8. Which among the choices is one similarity between asteroids, comets, and
meteors?
A. come from the Asteroid belt
B. come from the Oort cloud
C. made of rock
D. orbit the Sun
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10. Which of these objects that orbit the sun are nicknamed, “dirty snowballs”?
A. asteroids
B. comets
C. meteors
D. meteoroids
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Lesson Earth Science:
Have you ever experienced seeing a streak of light darting through the night
sky? How about a shower of shooting stars from the sky? Have you heard about the
theories regarding the extinction of dinosaurs? Well, all of these shall be discussed
in this module.
As you go through, you will be able to learn more on other celestial bodies in
the solar system, apart from the planets that you have learned from your previous
lessons.
What’s In
In your previous lesson, you have learned that solar system is made up of
the sun and everything that orbits around it, including planets, moons, asteroids,
comets, and meteoroids. The planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and so-called dwarf planet, Pluto, revolves around the
Sun, including other celestial bodies.
You have also learned that the four innermost planets in the solar system-
Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are called terrestrial planets because they have a
compact, rocky surface like the Earth's, while Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
and Neptune are known as the Jovian planets, because they are all gigantic
gaseous planets.
Further, you have also learned that a region of space between the orbits of
Mars and Jupiter, where most of the asteroids in our Solar System are found
orbiting the Sun, is called Asteroid Belt, which probably contains millions of
asteroids.
To test your memory regarding your previous lesson, look at the illustration
given, and color and identify the components of the solar system. Write your
answers on the boxes provided for.
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How are you doing? Did you get perfect score? From this activity, you’ve
learned that in the solar system there are planets, the asteroid belt, and the sun.
Look at the picture below and observe carefully. What can you see? Are
there other objects found in the solar system that look differently?
Describe in one (1) to two (2) sentences about the objects found in the solar
system that are different from the sun and the planets.
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Sti l l Searchi ng…
Way back in history, people always wondered what’s
beyond outside the Earth. And even before mankind, we are still
searching for evidence what really causes dinosaurs extinction.
Different theories, explanation arises at this very end. Still,
scientists continuously exploring about these heavenly bodies
outside the earth.
Focus on module and we’ll try to unravel some amazing
wonders of the solar system.
What’s New
Do you know who is Lea Salonga? Lea is a world-class Filipina singer and
actress, best known for her roles in musical theater here and abroad, and for being
the singer of the two Disney movies official soundtrack – the Aladdin and Mulan.
In 1981, she released her debut album entitled “Small Voice” where she sang
the Disney song, official soundtrack of the classic Disney movie “Pinocchio”,
entitled “When You Wish Upon A Star”.
I know that you’ve heard this song, if you know the song, try singing the first
two stanzas of the song. The excerpt of the lyrics is written below:
What a lovely song! It brings back a lot of memories. Right! How about you?
What can you say about it?
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For me to know what you are thinking, please answer the questions below.
2. Have you experienced wishing upon the star? Tell me about it.
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The song tells us to wish upon a star. We usually do that when we see a star
falling from the sky. But is it really a star? You will learn about it as you continue
with this module.
What is It
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Often times when we see a star falling from the sky, we promptly say our
wish, praying that it will be granted. But is it really a star? Let’s find out!
In you grade seven, you’ve learned that star is a gigantic glowing ball of hot
gas. The temperature is so high that anything that comes close to it will get
burned. Thus, the star that falls from the sky where we say our wish is not actually
a star. But what is it? Well, it could be a meteor, a comet or an asteroid. Read more
and you will learn more about them.
S-type-
These are silicacious asteroid which are made up of iron and
magnesium silicate making them greenish to reddish in color.
There are about 17% of this type dominating the inner asteroid belt
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M-type
These are metallic asteroids which are rich in metallic substances
such as nickel- iron, giving them reddish in color.
They inhabit the middle region of the main belt.
Asteroid are classified into two main classes such as main belt asteroids
which refers to a cluster of asteroids located in the "missing planet" gap between
Mars and Jupiter, and the other one class is the near-earth asteroids which are
grouped in the following categories:
● Athens- lie outside the asteroid belt, near the orbit of Mars including Ceres,
Pallas, Juno, and Vesta
● Apollos- lie near Earth, which sometimes crosses Earth’s orbit. Some of its
examples are Ecarus that has reached the Earth at about 6 million
kilometers. Geographus that has reached Earth at a distance of about 9
kilometers, and Eros at about 485 thousand miles.
● Trojans- are known to dwell along Jupiter’s orbital path and lie within the
asteroid belt. The asteroids Hector, Diomedes, Agamemnon, Petrocius, and
other asteroids within this region circle the sun for 12 years.
Di d you know?
Astronomer William Herschel first coined the word asteroid, which means
“star like” in 1802.
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Sometimes, asteroid collides with another asteroid. Small pieces of it break off.
These small pieces or fragments are called meteoroid.
Smashed asteroid
A meteor
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Comparison of a Meteoroid, Meteor and Meteorite
Di d you know?
The Willamette Meteorite weighs 15.5 tons and is the largest ever found in
the United States.
Coma
o Composed of a dense cloud of water, carbon dioxide and other neutral
gases sublimed from the nucleus.
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Hydrogen cloud
o A huge but very sparse envelope of neutral hydrogen
Dust tail
o Composed of smoke-sized dust particles driven off the nucleus by
escaping gases.
o This is the most prominent part of a comet to the unaided eye.
Ion tail
o Composed of plasma and laced with rays and streamers caused by
interactions with the solar wind.
Parts of a comet
Comets originate from the Kuiper belt and the Oort Cloud. These areas are
located very far away from the Sun. It is believed that comets visible from Earth are
most likely coming from the Kuiper belt which is near Pluto. On the other hand,
the Oort cloud is so far away we that no one have ever seen it.
There are millions of comets, and they are all orbiting the Sun. When they
crash into each other, often times, they change direction and that lead them to the
solar system.
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travelling towards or away from the Sun.
When the tail of a comet enters the Earth’s atmosphere when it passes thru
the orbit of the Earth, a meteor shower occurs. Meteor shower looks like a rain of
shooting stars. That’s one of the reasons, why a comet is mistaken as meteor.
Meteor Shower
Di d you know?
The word comet comes from the Greek word “Kometes” meaning long hair.
This is because of how a comet’s tail can look like long flowing locks of hair.
The most famous comet of all time is Halley’s Comet. Halley is a periodic
comet and is visible from Earth every 76 years and has been for centuries. It
made its last appearance in 1986.
Comets are usually made of frozen water and super cold methane, ammonia,
and carbon dioxide ices. Those are mixed with rock, dust, and other metallic
bits of solar system debris.
What’s More
In this part, your objective will be understanding more the difference among
meteor, comet and asteroid, perform the succeeding activities. Have fun learning!
Below are texts regarding the concepts of asteroid, meteor and comets. What
you are going to do is supply the missing work to complete the sentence. Use the
words from the box in filling in the missing words. Good luck!
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Mars and Jupiter asteroid belt shooting star comets
Well done! Let’s try your learnings again by performing the next activity.
Clue: remember where they originated!
True or False?
If you think that the statement is correct, shade the star shape and if
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1. A meteor is a flash of light that we see in the night sky
caused by the friction of a meteoroid passing through the
atmosphere.
3. When a falling rock from the outer space hit the surface of
the earth, it is called comet.
8. Comets originate from the Kuiper belt and the Oort Cloud.
Remember These:
Now let’s sum up all the concepts!
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● Coma is the cloud that forms around a comet's nucleus. This cloud is made
by solar wind striking the surface of the nucleus, causing a mixture of gas
and dust to form around it.
● The dust tail is a type of comet tail formed when the solar wind separates
dust from the coma, pushing it outward away from the Sun in a slightly
curved path.
● The gas ion tail is a type of comet tail formed when the solar wind separates
gases from the coma, pushing them outward away from the Sun in a straight
path.
● The inner solar system is the path of the solar system between the Sun and
the orbit of Jupiter
● A meteor is a flash of light that we see in the night sky caused by the friction
of a meteoroid passing through the atmosphere.
● Meteor showers are many and sustained flashes of light that are seen in the
night sky as a result of the Earth passing through the former path of a
comet. The debris released by the comet causes the meteor shower.
● Meteorites are any part of a meteoroid that survives its fall through the
atmosphere and lands on the Earth.
To help you remember all these, try the next activity where you are going to
identify the incorrect and correct concept regarding asteroid, meteor, and
meteorite.
What I Can Do
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How ready are you?
If you are a scientist, what will you do to prevent this thing from going to
happen?
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If you will become an inventor, what will you invent to prevent asteroids from
hitting the Earth? Draw and describe its function.
As a learner, how will you prepare yourself when this thing will happen?
How ready are you?
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Assessment
Good job! You have surpassed all the challenges given. Now, let’s test you’re
your learnings by answering the following questions.
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2. Which of the following is not true about meteors?
A. Some portions are burned up in the atmosphere
B. They do not reach the ground of the Earth
C. The scientists can collect so many of it
D. They come in group
6. What part of the comet forms around a comet's nucleus? This cloud is made
by solar wind striking the surface of the nucleus, causing a mixture of gas and
dust to form around it.
A. Coma
B. Fire
C. Light
D. Ring
7. What type asteroids that is rich in metallic substances such as nickel- iron,
giving them reddish in color?
A. C – type
B. M – type
C. N – type
D. S – type
8. Which among the choices is one similarity between asteroids, comets, and
meteors?
A. come from the Asteroid belt
B. come from the Oort cloud
C. made of rock
D. orbit the Sun
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9. Which best describes the tail of a comet?
A. trails behind the comet, pointing away from the Sun as the comet
approaches it, and toward the Sun as the comet moves out of the
inner Solar System.
B. is gas and dust expelled from the comet’s nucleus and blown outward
by radiation pressure and the solar wind.
C. is gas and dust pulled off the comet by the Sun’s gravity.
D. always points away from the Sun.
10. Which of these objects that orbit the sun are nicknamed, “dirty snowballs”?
A. asteroids
B. comets
C. meteors
D. meteoroids
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Additional Activities
I know that you are now well knowledgeable about asteroids, comets and
meteors but challenge yourself more by performing the activity below.
1. Make a diagram of the location of the asteroid, comets, and meteors in the
solar system.
2. How can you describe the possible impacts of the asteroids and comets as
they enter the earth’s atmosphere in the form of meteors? Does the size of a
meteor matter?
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What I Have Learned
Assessment
1. 6.
1. A
What I Can
2. C do
3. D
Answer may vary.
4. A
5. A 2. 7.
6. A
7. B It all depends to
the imaginative
8. C
idea of the
9. B
learners.
10. B 3. 8.
11. A
12. D
13. A
14. A
15. B 4. 9.
5. 10.
What's More
What's New What I Know
Acti vi ty 1.1 “Cross My Path”
Answers may vary. 1. A
1. meteor 2. C
2. vapor It depends upon 3. D
3. source the experience and 4. A
4. water belief of the 5. A
5. atmosphere 6. A
learner.
6. deflected 7. B
8. C
7. asteroid belt
9. B
8. Mars and Jupiter 10.B
9. Ceres 11.A
10. meteoroid 12.D
11. gravity 13.A
12. meteor 14.A
13. shooting star 15.B
14. meteorite
Answer Key
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Additional Activities
1.
2. There is a great probability that this cosmic object might hit our planet in the
upcoming as this had occurred long in the past. If one of these celestial objects
endures the frictional heating in the earth’s atmosphere, its collision on earth’s
surface is therefore very sure to happen. As such, it may cause widespread explosion
with associated shock waves that might trigger tsunamis, infrastructural
devastations, and mortalities.
References
5. Science 8 Learner’s Module. Campo, Pia C., et al. 2013. pp. 156-158.
Textbooks pages
Science and Technology I: Integrated Science Textbook. NISMED. 2012. pp.
339-340.
(TRY TO shorten the pages of your SIM to 32-34 pages only from page 1 to last.)
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DISCLAIMER
This Self-learning Module (SLM) was developed by DepEd SOCCSKSARGEN
with the primary objective of preparing for and addressing the new normal.
Contents of this module were based on DepEd’s Most Essential Learning
Competencies (MELC). This is a supplementary material to be used by all
learners of Region XII in all public schools beginning SY 2020-2021. The
process of LR development was observed in the production of this module.
This is version 1.0. We highly encourage feedback, comments, and
recommendations.
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