What is the difference between meteor, meteoroid, meteorite? Nasa replies

NASA says that meteors in space can be divided into 3 categories – Meteors, Meteoroids and Meteorites. Amid the mass meteor sightings past few weeks, it is important that you know the difference. Don’t worry, we’ve got it covered for you. Here’s the difference between Meteor, Meteoroid, Meteorite.

NASA expert Dr. Ryan Park says Meteor, Meteorite, and Meteoroid are different forms of celestial objects which “are small and are the shooting stars that you see up in the sky.” (Pixabay)

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1/5 NASA expert Dr. Ryan Park says Meteor, Meteorite, and Meteoroid are different forms of celestial objects which “are small and are the shooting stars that you see up in the sky.” (Pixabay)

Meteoroid - Meteoroids are objects in space that are just there. They can range in size anywhere from a dust grain to an asteroid. Meteoroids can essentially be called “Space Rocks”. (NASA)

2/5 Meteoroid - Meteoroids are objects in space that are just there. They can range in size anywhere from a dust grain to an asteroid. Meteoroids can essentially be called “Space Rocks”. (NASA)

Meteor - According to NASA, Meteors are objects in space which enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burn up, and are visible in the form of fireballs or “shooting stars”. (Pixabay)

3/5 Meteor - According to NASA, Meteors are objects in space which enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burn up, and are visible in the form of fireballs or “shooting stars”. (Pixabay)

Meteorite - When a Meteoroid becomes a Meteor, it enters a planet’s atmosphere. If the Meteor reaches the surface of the planet without burning up completely, it is classified as a Meteorite. (Pixabay)

4/5 Meteorite - When a Meteoroid becomes a Meteor, it enters a planet’s atmosphere. If the Meteor reaches the surface of the planet without burning up completely, it is classified as a Meteorite. (Pixabay)

Meteors have been responsible for some of the biggest events in history. From the Chelyabinsk meteor disaster that claimed many lives. Whenever meteors have crashed on Earth, they have impacted lives. (Pixabay)

5/5 Meteors have been responsible for some of the biggest events in history. From the Chelyabinsk meteor disaster that claimed many lives. Whenever meteors have crashed on Earth, they have impacted lives. (Pixabay)