Material Detail

Cook Up a Comet

In this activity (on page 5 of PDF), learners use dry ice and household materials to make scientifically accurate models of comets. Learners will investigate the ingredients in comets and how comets could have contributed to water ice on the Moon that the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) Mission launched in 2009 is designed to detect. This activity can be used as a demonstration or groups of learners can make their own comets. Adult supervision is recommended. The PDF contains step-by-step instructions, photos, presentation tips, extensions and links to background information.

Keywords:: Liquids, The Moon, NASA, Orbit, Satellites and Spacecraft, NSDL, Universe, Comet, Solar Nebula, Physics, Gases, Planetesimals, States of Matter, Chemistry, Solids, Earth System Science, Astronomy, Space Science, Science and Society, Materials Science, Dry Ice, Physical Science, Comets, Compounds, Moon, Geoscience, Origin of Solar System, Model Building, Mathematics, Orbits, Organic Compounds, Asteroids and Comets, Size and Scale, Engineering, Technology, Impacts of Technology, LCROSS, Elements and Periodic Table, Aerospace Engineering, Solar System, Earth and Space Science, Changes of Phase, Education, Probes