• Consists of ice, rock, and dust particles shed by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
• Earth passes through this debris field annually between mid-July and late August.
• Particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at around 214,000 km/h, causing them to heat up and create bright streaks of light.

• Earth’s gravity pulls particles from the debris field, causing them to enter the atmosphere.
• Larger particles can create fireballs—bright meteors that are more intense and last longer.

PYQ:

[2011] What is the difference between asteroids and comets?

1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material.
2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury.
3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3