EART

AND
H SPAC

TYPHOON YOLANDA

HAVE YOU ASKED

YOURSELF THESE
QUESTIONS?
How do typhoons develop?
Why is the Philippines prone to
typhoons?

HOW TYPHOONS DEVELOP?

Air pressure has a great effect on
weather. When warm air rises it
produces a low pressure area. A
low pressure area with rising
warm air is called a cyclone.
The word cyclone comes from the
Greek word Kyklocin, which means
to circle or whirl.

HOW TYPHOONS DEVELOP?

Cyclone cooler air moves in
and takes the place of the rising
warm air.
- The air current begins to spin.
- Winds spiral around and into
the center of the cyclone.
- They move in a counter
clockwise direction in the
Northern Hemisphere.

HOW TYPHOONS DEVELOP?

The unequal heating of the Earths
surface forms a large global wind
system.
Global winds do not move directly from
north to south or from south to north. But
because Earth rotates, the paths of the winds
shift in relation to the Earths surface. All
winds in the Northern Hemisphere curve to
the right as they move. In the Southern
Hemisphere, winds curves to the left. This is
called the Coriolis effect.

HOW TYPHOONS DEVELOP?

Coriolis effect is the apparent
shift in the path of any object moving
the Earths surface due to the rotation
of the Earth.
- Also causes the air currents in
cyclones to spin.

HOW TYPHOONS DEVELOP?

A high pressure area containing
cold, dry air is called an anticyclone.
Anticyclone Winds spiral around
and out from the centres of
anticyclones.
- They move in a clockwise direction
in the Northern Hemisphere.

HOW TYPHOONS DEVELOP?

The same type of phenomenon occurs in
the West Indies, Atlantic Oceans, and Indian
Ocean are called hurricanes.
The word hurricane comes from the word
huraken which is the name of the Mayan god of
wind.

In tropical countries, this atmospheric

phenomenon is called typhoon.
Typhoon came from the Arabic word tufan which
means big cyclonic form.

HOW TYPHOONS DEVELOP?

Typhoons begin near the equator and
move westward, gathering intensity and size.
If a tropical cyclone has wind speed of 63 to
118 kph it is called tropical storm. If its
wind reached 119 kph or faster, it is called a
typhoon.

EXAMPLE:

YOLANDA
TYPHOON

HOW HURRICANES
DEVELOP?
Hurricanes are formed by the rising of
warm, moist air that begins to rise rapidly
followed by cooler air that moves in and
begins to spin.
As the air pressure drops, more air is drawn
into the spinning system. It begins to spin
faster. The rapidly spinning, rising air forms a
cylindrical wall of strong winds, clouds and
rainfall. Inside the wall, the air is calm.
This calm centre is called eye of the
hurricane.

EXAMPLE:

SANDY
HURRICANE

TYPHOONS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
The Philippines as part of south-eastern
Asia is affected by south-westerly monsoons
that usually begin in early May.
Monsoon winds are seasonal winds that
blow over the northern part of the Indian
Ocean and flow over most of the surrounding
areas. Monsoon winds may be accompanied
by rain.

Biomes

TYPHOONS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
The Philippine Area of Responsibility or
PAR is bound by an imaginary line drawn
along the following coordinates:
25N 120E
25N 135E
5N 135E
5N 115E
15N 115E
21N 120E

(PAR)
PHILIPPINE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

TYPHOONS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Typhoons generally follow a westerly
direction, but as they get closer to the
Philippines, they take a north-westerly
direction.
PAGASA releases tropical cyclone warnings
in the form of Public Storm Warning Signals.

Typhoons are categorized into five:

Category 1 - Tropical Depression
-sustains winds between 119 and 153
km/hour (km/h). It is the first notable stage
in the formation of a hurricane.(Morakot)
Category 2 - Tropical Storm (TS)
- has winds between 154 and 177 km/h.
-a tropical storm is a system of intense
thunderstorms that progressively
intensifies.
Category 3 - Strong Typhoon
-A strong typhoon is a system of low
pressure and intense winds (between 178
and 209 km/h).(Maemi-South Korea)

 Category 4 - Intense Typhoon

(or Hurricane)
-An intense typhoon sustains high
winds of 210 to 249 km/h and is
classified as a category-5 storm,
which carries the highest element
of risk.
Category 5 - Violent Typhoon
-A violent typhoon is
characterized by winds exceeding
249 km/h.

PUBLIC STORM WARNING

SIGNALS
PSWS #1 Tropical cyclone winds of 30 km/h
(19 mph) to 60 km/h (37mph) are expected
within
the
next
36 hours.
PSWS
#2
Tropical cyclone winds of 60 km/h
(37 mph) to 100 km/h (62 mph) are expected
within next 24 hours.
PSWS #3 Tropical cyclone winds of 100 km/h
(62 mph) to 185 km/h (115 mph) are expected
within the next 18 hours.
PSWS #4 Tropical cyclone winds of greater
than 185 km/h (115 mph) are expected within
the next 12 hours.

Variability in Activity

On an annual time scale, activity reaches

a minimum in February, before increasing
steadily through June, and spiking from
July through October, with September
being the most active month for tropical
cyclones in the Philippines. Activity falls
off significantly in November.

List of Philippine Typhoon

(1970-2011)
Name

Period
of
occurre
nce

Deaths

Damage Highest
(in
wind
billion)
speed in
kph

Areas most
affected

Sening
(Joan)

October
1115,1970

768

10.7

280

Bicol
region,calabarz
on

Herming
(betty)

August
o7-14,
1987

94

39.9

260

Samar, Bicol
Region

Ruping
(Mike)

Novemb
er 10-14,
1990

748

18.2

285

Cebu

Harurot
(Imbudo)

July 1324,2003

64

3.87

240

Cagayan
Valley,CARIloco
s region

Unding
(Muifa)

Novemb
er 1426,2004

69

3.87

240

Bicol Region,
MIMAROPA

These are the ff. typhoons hits in the

Philippines (2012)

AMBO
BUTCHOY
COSME
DINDO
ENTENG
FRANK
GENER
HELEN
IGME
SIONY
TONYO
YOYONG
ZOSIMO

JULIAN
KAREN
LAWIN
MARCE
NINA
OFEL
PABLO
QUINTA
ROLLY
ULYSSES
VICKY
WARREN

THE LIFE OF A TYPHOON

THE FOUR STAGES OF THE
LIFE OF A TYPHOON

FORMATIVE
STAGE
IMMATURE
STAGE
MATURE STAGE
DECAYING
STAGE

CAUSES OF TYPHOON
TRANSFORMATION
Pre-conditions and
Conditions of Typhoons

PRE-CONDITIONS OF
TYPHOON FORMATION

MONSOON TROUGH
This is an extension of
the Inter- Tropical
Convergence Zone
where cyclonic spin
has developed. The
ITCZ is a trough is a
low pressure created
by the convergence of
the northeast and
southeast trade winds.

TRACKING
TYPHOONS
When you hear a typhoon advisory, note the
position, intensity and predicated direction of
movement of the typhoon on the map of the
Philippines. Typhoon tracking used to be a
matter of life and death for people living along
the Pacific Ocean in both the topics and subtropics.
However, with modern communications,
typhoon tracking can be done by almost
anyone who has a map of the Philippines and
an internet access.

TRACKING
TYPHOONS
Typhoon
Tracking Map

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
DURING TYPHOONS (BEFORE A
TYPHOON)
Prepare a survival kit. (Which include drinking
water, food that will last for at least three days, a
first-aid kit, change of clothes, flashlight, and
batteries.)
Windows of your houses have to be checked
to make sure they can withstand the strong rains
and winds for safety.
Check major electrical appliances.

Purchase a battery powered radio,

candles and rechargeable lights. Listen
to the radio for weather updates.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
DURING TYPHOONS (DURING THE
TYPHOON)

Stay calm during the typhoon and listen for

the weather updates.

If you are outside and the water level is rising fast,

look for higher place for shelter until the flood had
subsided. Ensure that the area where you are
seeking shelter is away from windows and doors
and is on a higher level.

Do not attempt to walk in flooded streets.

Stay inside until emergency personnel or radio
reports inform you that it is safe to venture out.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
DURING TYPHOONS (AFTER THE
TYPHOON)

Be careful when going outside and observe

where there is flooding in your area.

Wait until floods have subsided. Keep

away from the flooded area since there might
be power lines and large bodies of water.
Check to see if your next door neighbours need
any assistance. And also call your family,
friends and loved ones to let them know
you
areyour
safe.property and look for any areas
Survey
that were damaged.

EFFECTS OF
TYPHOON

BUILDINGS AND
INFRASTRUCTURE

The two most destructive

forces associated with
typhoons are wind and rain.
According to the Green Fun
website, typhoon winds can
affect buildings and other
structures in two ways:
through direct force and
through projectiles. The
heavy and persistent rainfall
that typhoons bring can also
have devastating effects. In
addition to making homes
uninhabitable, the flooding
associated with typhoons
can make roads impassable,
which can cripple rescue
and aid efforts.

TREES AND VEGETATION

WATERCRAFT AND WATER

OPERATIONS

L
I
F
E

EARTHQUAKE
AND
FAULT
S

Earthquakes

Earthquakes
Definitions
Earthquake- the vibration of the ground due to
the sudden release of energy accumulated in a
deformed rock
Focus (Hypocenter)- spot underground where
the rock begins to break- point at which slip
initiates
Epicenter- the point on the land surface directly
above the focus
Aftershock- tremors that occur as rocks adjust to
their new position
Seismology- the study of earthquake
Copyright by Isiorho

42

EARTHQUAKES:
WHY? AND HOW?

EARTHQUAKES

sudden movement or shaking of the

Earth

Caused by plate tectonic stresses

Located at plate boundaries
Resulting in breakage of the Earths brittle crust

PLATE TECTONIC STRESSES

Plate boundaries and faults (= cracks where plate

sections are moving in different directions) cause
friction as plates move
Plates in a fault zone have STICK-SLIP motion

Periods of no movement (stick)

and fast movement (slip)

Energy stored as plates stick,

Energy released as plates slip

Seismic Waves
Earthquakes energy is transmitted through the earth as seismic
waves

Two types of seismic waves radiate from the focus

Body waves- transmit energy through earths
interior
Primary (P) wave- rocks vibrate parallel to direction of
wave (v=4-7km/sec)
Compression and expansion (slinky example)
Secondary (S) wave- rocks move perpendicular to wave
direction (v=2-5 km/sec)
Rock shearing (rope-like or wave in a stadium) S-wave
cannot travel through liquid

Surface waves- transmit energy along earths

surface
Love (L) wave- Rock moves from side to side like snake
Raleigh wave- Rolling pattern like ocean wave
Copyright by Isiorho

46

EARTHQUAKE WAVES
FOCUS = place deep within the Earth and along the
fault where rupture occurs
EPICENTER = geographic point
on surface directly above focus
SEISMIC WAVES produced by the release of energy
move out in circles from the point of rupture (focus)
2 types: surface & body (travel inside & through earths layers)
P waves: back and forth movement of rock; travel thru solid,
liquid, gas
S waves: sideways movement of rock; travel thru solids only

EARTHQUAKE WAVES
Seismographs record earthquake
waves
Seismograms show:
Amplitude of seismic waves (how much
rock moves or vibrates)
Distance to the epicenter
Earthquake direction

EARTHQUAKE WAVES

3 types of seismic waves show up on seismogram

P waves: shake earth in same direction as
wave;
travel thru solid, liquid, gas
S waves: Shake earth sideways to wave
direction;
travel thru solids only
Surface waves: circular movement of rock;
travel on surface cause most damage!!

Seismic Waves in Earth's Interior

There are two ways to look
at waves. One is to
trackray paths, the path of
any particular impulse. The
other way is to trackwave
fronts, the boundary of the
wave as it travels outward.
A surfer riding a wave
travels a ray path. The
crest of the wave is the
wave front. The animation
below shows ray paths of a
P-wave in the earth.

EARTHQUAKE WAVES

P waves move through solids &

liquids

S waves move through solids

only!!!

EARTHQUAKE WAVES
Body

P waves

S waves

waves

AKA

Primary (1st to arrive)

Secondary (2nd to arrive - larg

Longitudinal, Compression

Transverse, Shear

Moves
through

all states of matter

(solid, liquid, gas)

Movement
of rock

back and forth movement of rock

push/pull or compression/stretch
out
Like slinky down stairs

Can go through solids only

Vibration is same as the direction of

travel

Move sideways

perpendicular to direction of
wave travel
Like snake

Locating Epicenter &

Focus Depth (EQ classification)
Use Arrival time at a recording
station (time lag between P & S
waves) to locate the epicenter of an
earth quake
Need three stations to determine the
epicenter

Maximum Depth of Focus

Shallow focus EQ < 70 km (45 mi) most
earthquakes
Intermediate focus EQ- 70-300 km (45180 mi)
Deep focus EQ-Copyright
> 300
km (> 180 mi)
by Isiorho

53

Earthquake Locations
Most EQs occur in the circum pacific
region
80% of shallow focus EQ; 100% of deep focus
EQ

Most EQs occur along plate boundaries

Oceanic trenches, Benioff zones,
Mediterranean- Himalayan

Most EQs in US occur near the west coast

San-Andreas Fault
Copyright by Isiorho

54

Earthquakes are the shaking,

rolling or sudden shock of the
earths surface. Earthquakes
happen along "fault lines" in the
earths crust. Earthquakes can be
felt over large areas although they
usually last less than one minute.
Earthquakes cannot be
predicted -- although
scientists are working on it!

 The intensity of an earthquake can be

measured. One measurement is called
the Richter scale. Earthquakes below
4.0 on the Richter scale usually do not
cause damage, and earthquakes below
2.0 usually cant be felt. Earthquakes
over 5.0 on the scale can cause
damage. A magnitude 6.0
earthquake is considered strong
and a magnitude 7.0 is a major
earthquake. The Northridge
Earthquake, which hit Southern
California in 1994, was magnitude 6.7.

EARTHQUAKE FOCUS
AND EPICENTERS
The intensity of earthquake shaking at a
particular location depends on the magnitude
of the earthquake, and how deep and how far
away it was.
Modified Mercalli intensity scale is used
in New Zealand, United States, and Canada
to measure intensity.

RICHTER SCALE
MAGNITU
DE

0-2

E F F E C T S

NOT FELT BY PEOPLE

2-3

FELT LITTLE BY PEOPLE

3-4

CEILING LIGHTS SWING

4-5

WALLS CRACK

5-6

FURNITURE MOVES

6-7

SOME BUILDINGS COLLAPSE

7-8

MANY BUILDINGS DESTROYED

8-UP

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS,

BRIDGES AND ROADS

MODIFIED MERCALLI INTENSITY

MAGNITU
E F F E C T S
SCALE
DE
I

NOT FELT BY PEOPLE

II

FELT BY PERSONS AT REST

III-IV
V-VI
CHIMNEYS
VII

FELT BY PERSONS INDOORS ONLY

FELT BY ALL; SOME DAMAGE TO PLASTER,
PEOPLE RUN OUTDOORS, DAMAGE TO POORLY BUILT

STRUCTURES

VIII
BUILT

IX
X
DESTROYED
XI
STANDING;
X

WELL BUILT STRUCTURES SLIGHTLY DAMAGED; POORLY

STRUCTURES SUFFER MAJOR DAMAGE

BUILDINGS SHIFTED OFF FOUNDATIONS

SOME WELL BUILT STRUCTURES
FEW MASONRY STRUCTURES REMAIN
BRIDGES DESTROYED
TOTAL DAMAGE; WAVES SEEN ON GROUND;
OBJECTS THROWN INTO AIR

EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY
measures damage to man-made
structures at certain location
Modified Mercalli scale= measurement of damage to
structures
From I to XII
(Roman numerals)
Descriptive, changes with
distance from epicenter
Can change from location
to location
What you need:
Your senses!

MERCALLI VS. RICHTER

EARTHQUAKE MAGNITUDE
measures the size of seismic waves
the energy released by the
earthquake

Richter scale=measurement of energy

released based upon wave amplitude (size of
vibration)

<2 to ~10
Amplitude of wave goes up
by 10 (Logarithmic scale)

What you need:

Amplitude (size of vibration = wave height)
Time between arrival of 1st P and 1st S waves

HOW TO READ SEISMOGRAMS

P & S (body waves) move through earth & arrive first

P & S waves used to calculate magnitude of earthquake
Amplitude = height of wave (how much the rock moves; size of
vibration)

Types of Faults

Faults are classified on the basis of the kind of motion

that occurs on them
Joints - No Movement
Strike-Slip - Horizontal Motion (Wrench
Faults)

Types of Faults

Faults are classified on the basis of the kind of motion

that occurs on them
Left-Lateral
Right-Lateral

Types of Faults

Faults are classified on the basis of the kind of motion

that occurs on them
Dip-Slip - Vertical Motion Normal
(Extension)

ACTIVE AND INACTIVE

A cross section of a
FAULTS

faulted rock has two

blocks of rock, one on
top of the other.

The block of rock

above the fault is
called the hanging
wall.
The block below the
fault is called the foot
wall.

ACTIVE AND INACTIVE

Normal fault - an inclined
FAULTS
fault in which the hanging
wall appears to have
slipped downward relative
to the footwall.
Reverse fault when
rocks are compressed.
- The hanging-wall block
moves up and over the
footwall block reverse slip
on a gently inclined plane is
referred to as thrust faulting

Thrust fault the

hanging wall to slide
over the foot wall.

Fault Structures - Normal Faults

Major Hazards of
Earthquakes
Building Collapse
Landslides
Fire
Tsunamis (Not Tidal Waves!)
Safest & Most Dangerous
Buildings
Small, Wood-frame House Safest
Steel-Frame
Reinforced Concrete
Unreinforced Masonry
Adobe - Most Dangerous

Tsunamis
Caused Probably by
Submarine Landslides
Travel about 400 M.p.h.
Pass Unnoticed at Sea Cause
Damage on Shore
Warning Network Around
Pacific Can Forecast Arrival
Whether or Not Damage
Occurs Depends on

Direction of Travel
Harbor Shape
Bottom
Tide & Weather

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE
Landsides
Building
damage
Liquefaction

LIQUEFACTION

when a solid (sand and soil) becomes

saturated with water and acts like a heavy
liquid
Results in a loss of soil strength & the ability of the soil
to support weight

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE
Most caused by SURFACE waves (arrive
last)

EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY
measures damage to man-made
structures at certain location
Modified Mercalli scale= measurement of damage to
structures
From I to XII
(Roman numerals)
Descriptive, changes with
distance from epicenter
Can change from location
to location
What you need:
Your senses!

When one plate dives below another

plate, it creates a subduction zone as
the diving plate is crushed and
melted. This process often creates
volcanoes as the magma
(molten rock)
rises up to the
surface.

When two
plates
slide past
each
other, they
create a
transform
fault, like
the San
Andreas
fault.

ACTIVE AND INACTIVE

FAULTS
Active faults are structures where there is a
displacement.
- Usually active faults produce a shallow
earthquake.
Inactive faults are structures that can be
identified but which do not cause earthquakes.

ACTIVE AND INACTIVE

FAULTS
Most faults are not perfectly straight;
instead they consist of numerous branches
and small fractures. In general, faults are
locked, except for brief abrupt movement
that accompany an earthquake rupture. This
is due to the pressure exerted by the
overlying
crust.
The motion
along faults can be explained by
the Plate Tectonics Theory, which states
that large slabs of Earths lithosphere are
continuously moving slowly.

ACTIVE AND INACTIVE

A cross section of a
FAULTS

faulted rock has two

blocks of rock, one on
top of the other.

The block of rock

above the fault is
called the hanging
wall.
The block below the
fault is called the foot
wall.

ACTIVE AND INACTIVE

Normal fault - an inclined
FAULTS
fault in which the hanging
wall appears to have
slipped downward relative
to the footwall.
Reverse fault when
rocks are compressed.
- The hanging-wall block
moves up and over the
footwall block reverse slip
on a gently inclined plane is
referred to as thrust faulting

Thrust fault the

hanging wall to slide
over the foot wall.

EARTHQUAKE FOCUS
AND EPICENTERS
What causes such sudden movements of the
earths crust?
The most common cause of earthquake is
faulting.
During faulting, energy is released as the
rocks break and move.
Earthquakes that occur on the ocean floor
can cause tsunamis.

PREDICTING
EARTHQUAKES

Knowing the location of the earthquake belts

and with data obtained from seismographs,
scientists hope to be able to predict when
earthquakes will occur as well as exactly
where.
For earthquake prediction to be useful, it
must be reliable and complete. The
information must include where, when, and
how strong the earthquake will be.

GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW
BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER
AN EARTHQUAKE

Store drinking water, dried and canned

foods.
Prepare an earthquake emergency kit.
Everyone should know how to turn off the
electricity and water supply.
Anchor heavy furniture down to the floor.

GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW
BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER
AN EARTHQUAKE

Find a safe location such as beneath a

table or desk, or along an interior wall
away from windows or hazardous
objects.
Cover the back of your head and your
eyes to minimize injury from flying debris.
Beware of any falling objects or electrical
wires.
Turn off heating elements immediately.

GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW
BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER
AN EARTHQUAKE

Stay in open areas away from buildings,

power lines, trees, and other potential
hazards.
If driving, stop quickly but safely and stay
in the vehicle. Do not stop near power
lines, bridges, buildings overpasses or
other
dangerous
places.
Stay calm
and brace
yourself to keep your
balance, sitting if possible

GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW
BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER
AN EARTHQUAKE
Be prepared for aftershocks.

Check for injuries and tend immediately. Call

for an emergency if necessary.
.
Check for structural damage, but do not enter a
building that shows damage or has visible
cracks in the walls or foundation.
Keep phone lines clear for emergency use.
Be patient.

MINOR

MEMBERS OF

THE
SOLAR
SYSTEM

METEORS
Meteorites are among the rarest materials
found on earth and are also the oldest things
any human has ever touched.
Meteoroids are solid, rocklike objects that
revolve around the sun.
Meteors are meteoroids that enter Earths
atmosphere and burn up.
- They produce bright tail or tweak of light
made of hot gases.
Each day, about a million of meteoroids enter
the Earths atmosphere.

METEORS
The streak of light occurs when a solid
particle from space, a meteoroid, enters the
Earths atmosphere.
Chondrules small, colorful, green, grainlike spheres about the size of pin head.
- are found in the most common type of
meteorite, and give that class its name, the
chondrites.
- are believed to have formed in the solar
nebula disk, even before the planets which
now inhabit our solar system.

METEORS
Scientist believed that meteors could have
been interplanetary debris or displaced
objects from the asteroid belt.
Asteroid belt is a gap or area between the
planet Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids
are believed to be located.
Meteor showers happen when a group of
meteoroids travel in the same direction at
nearly the same speed.

METEORS
A meteoroid that actually reaches the Earths
surface becomes a meteorite.
A few large meteorites have produced great
craters on Earth.
Meteorites may look very much like Earth
rocks, or they may have burned appearance.
They may be dense metallic chunks or more
rocky. They vary in size from micrometer-size
grains to large individual boulders.

METEORS
Controversy continues about whether
structures found in meteorites, known as
ALH 84001, might be fossil bacteria or
geologic structures.

METEORS
Three Types of Meteoroids:
Iron Meteoroid
Stony Meteoroid
Stony-Iron Meteoroid

METEORS
1. Iron Meteoroid is made of nickel and
iron.
2. Stony Meteoroid is made of sand like
material. They are difficult to recognize
because they look like an ordinary rock.
- The most distinguishing feature is the
melted crust.
- The most common stony meteorites are the
chondrites.

METEORS
3. Stony-iron Meteoroid is combination
of Iron meteoroid and stony meteoroid.
- Consists of silicate and iron.
- The rarest type of meteoroid
Meteorite impacts on Earth produce tektites.
Tektites consist of fragments of glass that
have strange chemical composition with
several peculiar shapes. They fond only in
certain locations on Earth.

COMETS
Comet is a chunk of ice, gas, and dust that
orbits the sun in a long, narrow elliptical
orbit.
- consists of a nucleus, a coma, and a tail.
Coma a hazy cloud of dust and gas that
forms around the nucleus.
- reflects sunlight and becomes very
bright as it approaches the sun.
The nucleus and the coma together make up
the head of the comet.

COMETS
Coma made up of gases emitted from the
nucleus due to its warming by the sun.
At a distance between to 1 to 2 AU
(astronomical units), the heat from the sun is
sufficient to evaporate a considerable
amount of material.
One AU is equal to 149 597 870 km.
The size of a coma depends upon the
distance of the comet from the sun.

COMETS
A comet nears the sun and is heated, the
solar wind blows the dust and gases of the
coma, forming the tail.
The tail is usually long, curved, and diffused
in appearance.
The tail is in its longest when the comet is
near the sun because of the solar wind, the
tail of the comet point away from the sun.
This is due to the fact that the tail is made up
of gases and dust pushed away from the
coma by the pressure of solar radiation and
solar particles.

COMET

COMETS

[2 TYPES OF

TAIL]
Dust Tail usually shows the path of the
comet.
Iron Tail is the result of the interaction of
ion particles, with the suns force of sunlight.
Some comets crash into the Sun or get so
close that they burn up; these comets are
called
sun grazers.

COMETS
The word comet comes from the Greek
comt (long-haired), from which we also
get the word comb.
Hale-Bopp comet is considered to be a great
comet.
The most famous is Halleys comet which
appears every 76 years.

HALLEYS COMET

COMETS
Theories purpose that most comets originate
in the Oort Cloud the vast cloud of comets
that surrounds the solar system.
Its existence was suggested by a Dutch
astronomer named Jan Oort.
Oort Cloud is located some 15 trillion
kilometers from the sun.

COMETS
Asteroids are chunks or rocks or
fragments of planet like material of varying
sizes floating in space.
Asteroids that pass close to Earth are called
Near-Earth Objects (NEOs).

COMETS
Giuseppe Piazzi discovered a star-like
object which he first thought was a new
comet. But after its orbit was better
determined it was clear that it was not a
comet but more like a small planet. He found
out that it moved slowly with the stars. Piazzi
named it Ceres.
Ceres is much smaller than the previously
discovered planets and was therefore called
a minor planet.

EART
AND
H SPAC