The difference between a meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite lies in their location relative to Earth and what happens to them as they enter our atmosphere.
Defining Each Term
Here's a breakdown:
-
Meteoroid: A small chunk of rock or metal traveling through space. Think of it as space debris, ranging in size from a grain of sand to a small asteroid.
-
Meteor: The visible streak of light we see when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up due to friction. It's the "shooting star" phenomenon. The burning and vaporization are what cause the bright trail.
-
Meteorite: A fragment of a meteoroid that survives its fiery passage through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the surface. These are the tangible remnants of space that scientists can study.
Summary Table
| Term | Location | Description | What you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meteoroid | Space | Small rock or metal fragment | Invisible |
| Meteor | Earth's Atmosphere | Meteoroid burning up | Streak of light |
| Meteorite | Earth's Surface | Fragment that survived atmospheric entry | Rock on the ground |
Further Elaboration
-
Size Matters: While the distinction is primarily based on location, the size of the original meteoroid can impact whether it becomes a meteor or a meteorite. Larger meteoroids are more likely to have fragments that survive to become meteorites.
-
Composition: Meteoroids are made of various materials, including rock, iron, and nickel. The composition can provide clues about their origin in the solar system. Meteorites are analyzed extensively to learn about the early solar system.
-
Impacts: Meteorites can cause impact craters depending on their size and velocity upon impact. While relatively small meteorites are common, large impacts are rare but can be catastrophic.
In essence, a meteoroid becomes a meteor as it enters Earth's atmosphere, and a meteorite if any part of it survives to reach the ground.
