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What is the difference between an asteroid, a meteor, and a meteorite?
When watching a meteor shower, what terminology should I use to describe the space rocks at different stages of their journey?
S
SpaceGeek
asked 1mo ago · 10 rep
1 Answer(s)
0
An asteroid is a large rocky body orbiting the Sun in space. If a piece breaks off, it becomes a meteoroid. When that rock enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up, the flash of light is a meteor (shooting star). If a piece survives and hits the ground, it is a meteorite.
A
AstroPhysicist
answered 1mo ago