Definitions
- Referring to a bright streak of light that appears in the sky when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere. - Talking about a small rocky or metallic body that orbits the sun and produces a meteor when it enters the Earth's atmosphere. - Describing a shooting star that can be seen at night.
- Referring to a meteoroid that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and hits the ground. - Talking about a solid piece of debris from space that has landed on Earth's surface. - Describing a rock or metal fragment that has been found on Earth and is believed to have originated from space.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to objects that come from space.
- 2Both can be seen in the sky.
- 3Both are made up of rock or metal.
- 4Both have the potential to impact the Earth.
What is the difference?
- 1Location: Meteor is a term used for objects that are still in space or entering the Earth's atmosphere, while meteorite refers to objects that have landed on Earth.
- 2Size: Meteor is typically smaller than meteorite, which can range from small fragments to large boulders.
- 3Appearance: Meteor is a bright streak of light in the sky, while meteorite is a solid object that can be observed and studied.
- 4Impact: Meteor does not usually impact the Earth's surface, while meteorite can cause damage upon impact.
- 5Frequency: Meteor is more common than meteorite, as meteors can be seen frequently in the night sky, while meteorites are rare.
Remember this!
Meteor and meteorite are both terms used to describe objects that come from space. However, the difference between them is their location, size, appearance, impact, and frequency. A meteor is a bright streak of light that appears in the sky when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, while a meteorite is a solid object that has landed on Earth's surface. Meteorites are typically larger and less frequent than meteors, and they can cause damage upon impact.
