Key: B Explanation: Asteroids: Asteroids are a small rocky c | UPSCPrelimsZone

Key: B
Explanation: Asteroids: Asteroids are a small
rocky celestial body that revolves around the
Sun, like other planets. They are also called
‘Minor Planets’ or planetoids. There are lots of
asteroids in the solar system. These are found in between the planets Mars and Jupiter. This belt is known as ‘Asteroid belt’. The diameter of the
asteroids varies from100 km to a size of a
pebble. The asteroids may be the fragments of a
planet exploded in the past or some parts of
comets. The new asteroids are being discovered
continuously.
Comets: Comets are the most exciting heavenly
bodies and have ever been the objects of man’s
curiosity as well as fear. The word Comet is
derived from the Greek word Aster Kometes
meaning ‘Long Haired Star’. They are made up
of small ice particles and meteoric fragments.
They revolve around the Sun. But their orbits
are irregular. Sometimes they get very close
(Perihelion) to the sun and in other times they go
far away (Aphelion) from the sun.