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  • Asteroid vs. Comet vs. Meteoroid: Size & Definitions Explained
    The smallest object out of those listed is a meteoroid.

    Here's a breakdown of the sizes and definitions:

    * Planet: A celestial body that orbits a star, is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, and has cleared its neighborhood of other objects. Planets are the largest objects in our solar system.

    * Asteroid: A rocky body that orbits the Sun, typically found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Asteroids are much smaller than planets.

    * Comet: An icy body that orbits the Sun. When it gets close to the Sun, the ice vaporizes, creating a visible tail. Comets are typically smaller than asteroids.

    * Meteoroid: A small rocky or metallic body in space, typically smaller than an asteroid. When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up, it's called a meteor (shooting star). If a meteoroid survives its trip through the atmosphere and hits the ground, it's called a meteorite.

    So, in terms of size: Planet > Asteroid > Comet > Meteoroid.

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