Meteor vs. Meteorite — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
A meteor is the streak of light from a meteoroid entering Earth's atmosphere, whereas a meteorite is what remains that strikes the ground.
Difference Between Meteor and Meteorite
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
When a meteoroid, a small rock from space, enters the Earth's atmosphere, it becomes visible as a meteor, known as a shooting star. On the other hand, a meteorite is what we call these materials when they survive their fiery passage through the atmosphere and impact Earth’s surface.
Meteors are noted for the bright trail they leave in the sky, often observable during meteor showers. Whereas meteorites can be collected and studied after they land, providing valuable scientific data about the solar system.
Meteors are typically only part of the meteoroid that burns up due to friction with the atmosphere. In contrast, meteorites often contain a greater part of the original material that can include iron, nickel, and rock.
Many people use telescopes and cameras to observe meteors streaking across the night sky. Conversely, meteorites are sought after by scientists and collectors for their physical and chemical properties.
While a meteor is a transient phenomenon lasting only a moment, a meteorite might create a crater or become embedded in the ground, existing until it is discovered or eroded away.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Light phenomenon in sky
Remnant hitting the ground
Composition
Part of meteoroid
Larger part of meteoroid
Visibility
Visible as light streak
Physically collectible
Impact with Earth
Burns up in atmosphere
Impacts and may form crater
Study
Observed by sight
Physically studied
Compare with Definitions
Meteor
Appears during events like meteor showers when Earth passes through comet debris.
The annual Perseid meteor shower is a favorite for astronomers.
Meteorite
Can vary in size from small pebbles to large masses weighing several tons.
The museum displays a gigantic meteorite, attracting many visitors.
Meteor
It heats up and emits light due to atmospheric friction.
The meteor streaked across the sky, glowing fiercely due to its high speed.
Meteorite
Survives its passage through the atmosphere and impacts the ground.
The meteorite created a small crater in the desert.
Meteor
Often called a shooting star or falling star, despite not being a star.
We made wishes on the bright meteors during the meteor shower.
Meteorite
A solid piece of debris from objects such as asteroids or comets that strikes Earth.
The meteorite found in the field was identified as a rare type of iron meteorite.
Meteor
Visible only for a few seconds as it travels through the Earth’s atmosphere.
That meteor flashed so quickly, it was gone in a blink.
Meteorite
Collected by scientists and enthusiasts for research and collection.
He added a new meteorite to his collection from a recent expedition.
Meteor
The light phenomenon seen when a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere.
The sky was lit up by a brilliant meteor last night.
Meteorite
Often studied for clues about the early solar system.
Scientists analyze meteorites to gather data on cosmic phenomena.
Meteor
A bright streak of light that appears in the sky when a meteoroid is heated to incandescence by friction with the earth's atmosphere. Also called falling star, meteor burst, shooting star.
Meteorite
A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon. When the original object enters the atmosphere, various factors such as friction, pressure, and chemical interactions with the atmospheric gases cause it to heat up and radiate energy.
Meteor
A meteoroid or meteorite.
Meteorite
A stony or metallic mass of matter that has fallen to the earth's surface from outer space.
Meteor
(Archaic) Any atmospheric phenomenon, such as a rainbow, lightning, or snow.
Meteorite
A metallic or stony object or body that is the remains of a meteoroid.
Meteor
An atmospheric or meteorological phenomenon. These were sometimes classified as aerial or airy meteors (winds), aqueous or watery meteors (hydrometeors: clouds, rain, snow, hail, dew, frost), luminous meteors (rainbows and aurora), and igneous or fiery meteors (lightning and shooting stars).
Meteorite
A mass of stone or iron which has fallen to the earth from space; an aërolite.
Meteor
A fast-moving streak of light in the night sky caused by the entry of extraterrestrial matter into the earth's atmosphere; a shooting star or falling star.
Meteorite
Stony or metallic object that is the remains of a meteoroid that has reached the earth's surface
Meteor
(juggling) A prop similar to poi balls, in that it is twirled at the end of a cord or cable.
Meteor
(martial arts) A striking weapon resembling a track and field hammer consisting of a weight swung at the end of a cable or chain.
Meteor
(figurative) Any short-lived source of wonderment.
Meteor
(intransitive) To move at great speed.
Meteor
Any phenomenon or appearance in the atmosphere, as clouds, rain, hail, snow, etc.
Hail, an ordinary meteor.
Meteor
Specif.: A transient luminous body or appearance seen in the atmosphere, or in a more elevated region.
The vaulty top of heavenFigured quite o'er with burning meteors.
Meteor
A mass of stone or other substance which sometimes falls to the earth from space beyond the moon, burning up from atomospheric friction and creating a brilliant but usually very brief trail of light in the atmosphere; also called a shooting star.
Meteor
A streak of light in the sky at night that results when a meteoroid hits the earth's atmosphere and air friction causes the meteoroid to melt or vaporize or explode
Meteor
(astronomy) any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere
Common Curiosities
Are meteorites valuable?
Some meteorites, especially rare types, can be quite valuable.
What materials are meteorites made of?
Meteorites can be composed of iron, nickel, stone, or a combination thereof.
Can all meteors become meteorites?
No, most meteors burn up completely and do not become meteorites.
What is the difference between a meteor and a comet?
A meteor is a meteoroid that burns in Earth's atmosphere, while a comet is a celestial body of ice, dust, and rock orbiting the sun.
How do scientists locate meteorites on Earth?
Scientists use various methods including radar and on-ground searches.
What causes the light of a meteor?
The light is caused by the burning of a meteoroid as it enters Earth's atmosphere.
How often do meteorites hit Earth?
Meteorites hit Earth daily, but most are too small to be noticed.
Can meteorites be dangerous?
Large meteorites can be extremely dangerous if they strike populated areas.
What is the largest meteorite found on Earth?
The Hoba meteorite in Namibia, weighing about 60 tons, is the largest known.
What is the significance of meteorites in science?
Meteorites are significant in science as they provide information about the formation and evolution of our solar system.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
