Download Criss-Cross Puzzle

Objective – Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
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Comet Vocabulary Criss-Cross Puzzle
Complete the puzzle using the clues shown.
Across
4. Forms when the solar wind separates dust from the coma, pushing it outward away from the
Sun.
5. The solid icy/rocky part of a comet.
7. The path of the Solar System between the Sun and the orbit of Jupiter
8. A "dirty snowball" consisting of ices, rocks, and dirt.
9. The time needed for one complete trip or cycle. For example, the period for the Earth to
travel around the Sun is 365 days.
10. The path followed by body around another, such as Earth's path around the Sun or the
Moon's path around Earth.
11. Forms when the solar wind separates gases from the coma, pushing them outward away
from the Sun.
Down
1. A stream of charged particles ejected from the surface of the Sun.
2. Many meteors 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.
3. Being able to see a celestial object, such as a comet, without the aid of telescopes, binoculars
or other astronomical devices.
6. The cloud of gas and dust that forms around a comet's nucleus.
Objective – Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
Objective – Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
Vocabulary
Coma — The cloud of gas and dust that forms around a comet's nucleus.
Comet — A “dirty snowball” consisting of ices, rocks, and dirt.
Dust Tail — Forms when the solar wind separates dust from the coma, pushing it
outward away from the Sun.
Gas-Ion Tail — Forms when the solar wind separates gases from the coma,
pushing them outward away from the Sun.
Inner Solar System — The path of the Solar System between the Sun and the orbit
of Jupiter
Meteor Shower —Many meteors 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.
Naked-eye Visibility —Being able to see a celestial object, such as a comet, without
the aid of telescopes, binoculars or other astronomical devices.
Comet Nucleus —The solid icy/rocky part of a comet.
Orbit —The path followed by body around another, such as Earth’s path around the
Sun or the Moon’s path around Earth.
Period —The time needed for one complete trip or cycle. For example, the period
for the Earth to travel around the Sun is 365 days.
Solar Wind —A stream of charged particles ejected from the surface of the Sun.
Objective – Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
Comet Criss-Cross Puzzle Answer Key