asteroid
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asteroid
A small, solid celestial body that orbits the sun and is smaller than a planet. Most asteroids are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Wissenschaftler beobachten die Flugbahn des Asteroiden genau, um eine Kollision mit der Erde auszuschließen.
Scientists are closely monitoring the asteroid's trajectory to rule out a collision with Earth.
The word comes from Greek. The ending '-oid' means '-like' or 'resembling'. So an 'Asteroid' (asteroid) is literally a 'star-like' object (Greek 'aster' = star).
Ein Planetoid ist ein planetenähnlicher Körper im All.
A planetoid is a planet-like body in space.
In the context of asteroids, verbs such as 'einschlagen' (to impact/strike), 'entdecken' (to discover), 'beobachten' (to observe), or 'die Sonne umkreisen' (to orbit the sun) are often used. The danger of a 'Kollision mit der Erde' (collision with Earth) is also a common topic.
Ein großer Asteroid schlug vor Millionen von Jahren auf der Erde ein.
A large asteroid struck Earth millions of years ago.
The word occurs very frequently in the fixed expression 'der Asteroidengürtel' (the asteroid belt). This is the region between the planets Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids in our solar system are located.
Das Raumschiff muss sicher durch den Asteroidengürtel navigieren.
The spaceship has to navigate safely through the asteroid belt.
comet
Both words refer to small celestial bodies that orbit the sun. A „Komet“ is made of ice, dust, and rock and can develop a glowing tail; an „Asteroid“ is a small, solid celestial body without this characteristic tail. So „Komet“ is the right word when a visible tail is present; otherwise, „Asteroid“ may be meant.
Der Asteroid zog am Nachthimmel vorbei, blieb aber als kleiner fester Lichtpunkt ohne Schweif sichtbar.
The asteroid passed across the night sky but remained visible as a small, solid point of light without a tail.
Der Komet zog am Nachthimmel vorbei und zeigte deutlich seinen leuchtenden Schweif.
The comet passed across the night sky, clearly displaying its glowing tail.
