The Difference Between Meteors, Meteorites, and Meteoroids
Did you know that the same object can become a meteor, a meteorite, and a meteoroid during its lifespan? How is that possible, and what is the difference between meteors, meteorites, and meteoroids?
Let’s start with the basics: An object that is flying through outer space, is smaller then an asteroid, and is not a comet is called a meteoroid. In other words, objects that are too small and insignificant to be considered an asteroid or a comet are classified as meteoroids. Here is a quick explanation of the difference between comets and asteroids:
Comets are icy objects that typically follow an orbit and glow when passing near the sun or another star. They generally range in diameter from a hundreds of meters to several kilometers in diameter. Larger objects that don’t display the properties of a comet are called asteroids instead.
A meteor is a meteoroid that is passing through the Earth’s atmosphere. In other words, the time during which you can see a meteoroid glowing and streaking through the night sky is the time that it would be considered a meteor. Meteors are also commonly called shooting stars or falling stars. When several meteoroids are passing through the Earth’s atmosphere, it is called a meteor shower.
Once a meteor has finished passing through the atmosphere and has struck the Earth’s surface, it is considered a meteorite.
So, the life of a meteoroid would go something like this:
Meteoroid > Meteor > Meteorite
Hopefully, that helped clarify these classifications for you!
I found something that looks alot like the meteorite shown above. Could I have found a real meteorite here in michigan?
I learned many things about this….. about meteors.comets and others….
This info was really helpful, thankyou.it helped me with a project but i just wish it had more pics and info
thank yo for the help on the answers
COMETS ARE SO COOL!!!! OH. AND I LIKE BUTTERFLYS 🙂
Oh, and thank you for the info
How much distance are the meteoroids from the sun???
thanks for info
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I DONT HAVE A CLUE BUT, COOL STORY. BRO
THAT HELPS ON MY SCIENCE HOMEWORK..THANK YOU
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tyhat was so cool..but i need the difference about meteor and meteorites..ampf.
i like to see real meteor in true life……..
I like this sight,its pretty and the info was kinda helpful thanx!!! ALWAYS SMILE!!!
Oh!And does anyone know the actual life span of a meteoroid because i looked EVERYWHERE. i went to answers.com and they said meteoroids aren’t alive. Still thanx A LOT!!!:):):):)
they look cool
that’s y i love earth science!!!:)
Thank you SOO much! This helped me SOO much to understand it very clearly!
-Mimi Theresa Salarr