The terms meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite describe the same space rock at different points in its journey.
Understanding the Terms
Here's a breakdown of each term:
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Meteoroid: A meteoroid is a small rock or debris floating in space. It can range in size from a dust grain to a small asteroid.
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Meteor: A meteor is what we call a meteoroid when it enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up, creating a streak of light in the sky. This is often referred to as a "shooting star." The burning is due to friction with the atmosphere at high speeds.
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Meteorite: A meteorite is what remains of a meteoroid that survives its fiery passage through Earth's atmosphere and lands on the surface.
Table Summarizing the Differences
| Term | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Meteoroid | In space | A small rock or debris floating through space. |
| Meteor | Earth's atmosphere | The streak of light produced when a meteoroid burns up in the atmosphere. |
| Meteorite | Earth's surface | The portion of a meteoroid that survives atmospheric entry and impacts the ground. |
In Simple Terms
Imagine throwing a ball (the meteoroid). The act of throwing it through the air (the Earth's atmosphere) is like a meteor. If the ball hits the ground without completely disintegrating, that ball on the ground is like a meteorite.
