Question 16

A natural celestial body that orbits a planet is a moon.

A moon is a natural celestial body that orbits a planet, making it the correct answer in this context. Moons can vary in size and characteristics, but they are specifically defined by their gravitational relationship with a planet.

A) Star

A star is not a natural celestial body that orbits a planet. Instead, it is a massive astronomical object that generates energy through nuclear fusion and serves as the central body around which planets and other celestial objects orbit.

B) Moon

A moon is correctly identified as a natural celestial body that orbits a planet. Moons can be found orbiting various planets in our solar system and beyond, and they are distinct from other celestial bodies in that they specifically revolve around a planet due to gravitational forces.

C) Comet

A comet is not a natural celestial body that orbits a planet; rather, it is a small solar system body composed of ice, dust, and rocky material that typically follows an elongated orbit around the sun. While comets can pass near planets, they do not orbit them in the same way moons do.

D) Meteoroid

A meteoroid is a small particle from a comet or asteroid, and it does not orbit a planet. Instead, meteoroids travel through space and can become meteors when they enter a planet's atmosphere. They are not natural celestial bodies that maintain an orbit around any planet.

Conclusion

The correct answer, moon, accurately describes a natural celestial body that orbits a planet, distinguishing it from the other options. Stars, comets, and meteoroids serve different functions in the cosmos and do not share the defining characteristic of orbiting a planet. Thus, only moons fulfill the criteria set by the question.