Sam was gazing through a telescope and noticed a bright spot moving fast through the sky. On closer examination, he observed the spot was followed by a stream of dust as it neared the sun. What did Same most likely observe?(1 point)
Responses
a moon
a moon
A comet
A comet
An asteroid
An asteroid
A meteor
A meteor select all that apply
A comet
Based on the description provided, Sam most likely observed a comet. Comets are characterized by their bright spots and are often surrounded by a stream of dust as they approach the sun.
Based on the given information, Sam most likely observed a comet.
To arrive at this conclusion, let's break down the process of elimination:
1. Moon: A moon would not be moving fast through the sky and would not be followed by a stream of dust as it neared the sun. Therefore, we can rule out the option of a moon.
2. Asteroid: While an asteroid can move fast through the sky, it is less likely to be followed by a stream of dust near the sun. Additionally, comets are known for their characteristic tails, composed of dust and gases, which become more visible as they approach the sun due to its heat. Hence, the observation of a stream of dust suggests a comet rather than an asteroid.
3. Meteor: A meteor refers to a small object entering Earth's atmosphere and burning up, commonly known as a shooting star. While meteors can appear fast-moving, they do not typically leave behind a stream of dust as they approach the sun. Therefore, a meteor is less likely to be the correct answer.
Considering these points, the most plausible answer is that Sam observed a comet.