SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-asteroid-rocky

What is the main difference between an asteroid and a comet?

An asteroid is rocky; a comet is icy.

Start playing free

  1. Asteroids are icy, comets are rocky
  2. Asteroids orbit Earth, comets orbit the Moon
  3. Asteroids are rocky, comets are icy ✔

Why: An asteroid is a small rocky body orbiting the Sun, usually in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. A comet is a small icy body that grows a glowing tail near the Sun.

Huh, didn't know that: Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

The dad joke
Why did the asteroid do so well in school? It was a rock star.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Asteroids are rocky, comets are icy. An asteroid is a small rocky body orbiting the Sun, usually in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. A comet is a small icy body that grows a glowing tail near the Sun.

  1. CAP Aerospace Dimensions Module 5, Space Environment (Alaska Wing copy) akwg.cap.gov/media/cms/Module_5__Space_Environment_C640727DEF762_83c5b.pdf
    asteroid - a small rocky body orbiting the Sun; usually found in the asteroid belt
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. NASA Science: Comets science.nasa.gov/solar-system/comets
    Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases, rock, and dust that orbit the Sun.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesWhich way does a comet's tail point?Flying & DronesWhere do most asteroids in our solar system orbit?Flying & DronesWhich way does a comet's tail generally point?

That's stuff everyone should know.