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What are the differences between a comet and an asteroid?

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The main difference between asteroids and comets is their composition, as in, what they are made of. Asteroids are made up of metals and rocky material, while comets are made up of ice, dust and rocky material. Both asteroids and comets were formed early in the history of the solar system about 4.5 billion years ago. read more

But there are a few notable differences between these two objects, as well. The biggest difference between comets and asteroids, however, is what they are made of. While asteroids consist of metals and rocky material, comets are made up of ice, dust, rocky materials and organic compounds. read more

A few other important differences between an asteroid and a comet exist. Comets sprout tails when the come in close to the sun. Asteroids, even those near the sun, don’t usually have tails, but some do, like asteroid P/2010 A2 and like 3200 Phaethon, the source of the Geminid meteor shower. read more

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Difference Between Asteroid and Comet
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