What is a Comet?

What is a Comet?

Comets are big balls of ice and rock, leftovers from the beginning of the Solar System, billions of years ago. As comets get close to the Sun, they start melting. The melted ice becomes a gas tail that points away from the Sun. This happens because the Sun’s heat produces a wind called “solar wind” which pushes the tail out.

Written By:

Delfina S (3A), Sarah H(3A), Lucía E (3A), 

Camila L (3B), Josefina F (3B), Maia Z (3B), 

Mora S (3C), Carolina C (3C), Sibila D (3C)

Why isn't PLUTO considered a PLANET any more?

Did you know that Pluto is no longer considered a planet?

Nine years ago, a group of astronomers decided that Pluto would not be called a planet anymore, but a dwarf planet instead.The 3 criteria (or reasons) for a planet are:

• It orbits around the Sun.

• It has a nearly round shape.

• It has "cleared the neighborhood" around its orbit.

Although Pluto revolves around the Sun and has a nearly round shape,  it has not “cleared its orbital region”. This means that Pluto cannot get other bodies out of its orbit (or path).Large bodies, including Pluto, that do not meet all three criteria are now called  “Dwarf planets”.

Written by: Juan A. (3A), Luca N. (3A), Felix H. (3A), Conrado S.P. (3B), Miklos A. (3B), Agustin C. (3B), Vicente B. (3C), Agustín S. (3C) and Tomas M. (3C)

How old is the Solar System ?

When doing research today, I found out that the Solar System is about 4,500,000,016 years old! 

(Georgia D - 3C)

That is a lot of candles to blow out!