Difference Between Asteroids and Meteoroids
The difference between asteroids and meteoroids is defined in the table below:
|
Aspect |
Asteroids |
Meteoroids |
|---|---|---|
|
Size |
Asteroids are larger than meteoroids, typically ranging in size from a few meters to several hundred kilometers in diameter. |
Meteoroids are smaller, ranging from a few millimeters to several meters in diameter |
|
Stability |
Asteroids exhibit relatively stable orbits and typically do not undergo much changes in trajectory. |
Meteoroids can undergo unpredictable paths, especially when influenced by gravitational forces or collisions with other objects. |
|
Location |
Asteroids are mostly found in the asteroid belt, which is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. However, some asteroids can be found in other regions of the solar system as well. |
Meteoroids can be found throughout the solar system, and they often originate from asteroids or comets. They can be found in space or within the Earth’s atmosphere. |
|
Impact |
Asteroids do not collide with planets or other celestial bodies. |
Meteoroids produce streaks of light in the sky, commonly known as shooting stars when they enter Earth’s surface. |
|
Composition |
Asteroids are primarily made of rock and metal, similar to the composition of terrestrial planets like Earth. |
Meteoroids can be composed of rock, metal, or a combination of both. |
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Difference Between Asteroid And Meteoroid
Asteroids and meteoroids are both rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, but they differ in size and location. Asteroids are larger rocky or metallic objects found mainly in the asteroid belt, while meteoroids are smaller fragments of asteroids or comets that can be found throughout the solar system. In this article, we will learn about the difference between an asteroid and a meteoroid.