Asteroid Make-up Lab

Please answer these questions in complete sentences. Some of the information you may find in your Sciencesaurus, but you may also need to use resource books or the Internet. Print out this page and attach it to the back of your paper.

1. How and when do scientists think asteroids may have formed?

2. Why do you think the belt of asteroids exists between Jupiter and Mars?

3. How are the orbits of asteroids similar to, or different from, planetary orbits?

4. How has Earth’s history been influenced by occasional natural catastrophes, such as asteroid impacts?

5. Although asteroids are considered natural catastrophes on Earth, they are not considered the same for other planets. Why do you think this is so?

6. What challenges do scientists face when they forecast asteroid impacts?

7. What is the scientists’ role in reducing the risks of such an event?