Difference Between Meteor And Meteorite
Meteors and meteorites both provide valuable scientific information. A meteor is a flash of light in the sky. It happens when a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere. As it falls, it heats up and burns, creating the light we see. A meteorite is what remains if the meteoroid doesn’t burn up completely. It hits the Earth’s surface. Meteorites are actual pieces of rock from space that we can find on Earth. In this article, we are going to learn the key differences between Meteor And Meteorite.
Table of Content
- What is a Meteor?
- What is a Meteorite?
- Difference Between Meteor and Meteorite
What is a Meteor?
A meteor is a streak of light seen in the sky when a meteoroid burns up as it enters the Earth’s atmosphere. This phenomenon is also commonly called a “shooting star” or “falling star.” Meteors are pieces of comet or asteroid material.
- Meteors are composed of meteoroids, which are small particles from asteroids or comets.
- These meteoroids can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a boulder.
- They enter the Earth’s atmosphere at very high speeds, ranging from 11 km/s to 72 km/s.
- The rapid entry into the Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds generates intense heat due to friction.
- This heat causes the surrounding air to glow, which is visible as the light of the meteor.
- Meteors become visible at an altitude of about 75 to 100 kilometers above the Earth.
- Most meteors burn up completely in the atmosphere before reaching the ground.
What is a Meteorite?
A meteorite is a fragment of rock from outer space that survives its fiery journey through the Earth’s atmosphere and lands on the Earth’s surface. Unlike meteors, which vaporize in the sky, meteorites make it all the way to the ground. They are the final stage in the life cycle of meteoroids that enter Earth’s atmosphere.
- Meteorites are debris from comets, asteroids, or sometimes even from the Moon or Mars.
- There are three main types of meteorites: stony, iron, and stony-iron.
- Stony meteorites are made mostly of silicate minerals.
- Iron meteorites consist largely of metallic iron-nickel.
- Stony-iron meteorites have nearly equal amounts of metal and silicate.
- Meteorites can be as small as a pebble or as large as several meters across.
- They are generally denser than rocks found on Earth due to their high metal content.
- Many meteorites are magnetic because of their iron content.
- Despite thousands of meteors falling to Earth each day, meteorites are rare because most meteors burn up before reaching the surface.
Difference Between Meteor and Meteorite
Here are the differences between meteors and meteorites:
|
Meteor vs. Meteorite |
||
|---|---|---|
| Aspect | Meteor | Meteorite |
| Location | Found in the Earth’s atmosphere. | Found on the Earth’s surface after surviving atmospheric entry. |
| Composition | Mostly composed of rocky or metallic materials. | Similar composition to meteors but survived atmospheric entry. |
| Appearance | Visible streak of light (“shooting star”). | Solid object, ranging from small pebbles to large boulders. |
| Origin | Derived from debris in space, often from comets or asteroids. | Comes from the same celestial debris but has fallen to Earth. |
| Entry Speed | Enters the atmosphere at high speeds, burning up due to friction. | Slows down upon entry, eventually landing on Earth’s surface. |
| Impact | Typically disintegrates entirely in the atmosphere. | May cause impact craters upon landing, depending on size. |
| Discovery | Observed as bright streaks in the night sky. | Discovered on Earth’s surface, sometimes by chance. |
| Scientific Study | Provides insights into cosmic debris and atmospheric dynamics. | Provides clues about the composition and history of celestial bodies. |
| Frequency | Thousands of meteors enter Earth’s atmosphere daily, most of which burn up. | Relatively rare compared to meteors, but numerous impacts have been recorded throughout history. |
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FAQs on Difference Between Meteor and Meteorite
What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite?
A meteor is a celestial object that burns up in the Earth’s atmosphere, while a meteorite is the fragment that survives and lands on Earth’s surface.
Where do meteors and meteorites originate?
Meteors originate from space debris entering Earth’s atmosphere, while meteorites come from the same debris but land on Earth.
How do we observe meteors and meteorites?
Meteors are observed as bright streaks of light in the night sky, while meteorites are discovered on Earth’s surface, sometimes by chance or through systematic searches.
What happens to meteors and meteorites upon entry into Earth’s atmosphere?
Meteors burn up due to friction with the atmosphere, while meteorites slow down and eventually land on Earth’s surface.
What are the differences in composition between meteors and meteorites?
Meteors are mostly composed of rocky or metallic materials, while meteorites have similar compositions but have survived atmospheric entry.
How frequently do meteors and meteorites occur?
Thousands of meteors enter Earth’s atmosphere daily, but most burn up before reaching the surface. Meteorite impacts on Earth are relatively rare but have been recorded throughout history.