Meteoroid vs. Asteroid — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 22, 2024
Meteoroids are smaller space rocks, usually less than a meter wide, that become meteors when entering Earth's atmosphere, while asteroids are larger rocky bodies, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Difference Between Meteoroid and Asteroid
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Meteoroids are significantly smaller than asteroids, typically ranging from a grain of sand to about a meter in diameter. In contrast, asteroids can be as small as a boulder or as large as hundreds of kilometers across.
Meteoroids can originate from comets or asteroids and are often captured by Earth’s atmosphere, leading to meteor showers when they burn up, becoming meteors. Whereas, asteroids are remnants from the early solar system, mostly orbiting in the asteroid belt.
When a meteoroid survives its fiery passage through Earth's atmosphere and impacts the ground, it's called a meteorite. On the other hand, asteroids can collide with planets, including Earth, but such events are rare and typically involve larger space objects.
Meteoroids are composed of rock, metal, or a combination of both, often containing valuable scientific information about the early solar system. Asteroids, however, are primarily rocky or metallic and vary more significantly in composition, including carbon-rich materials.
The study of meteoroids involves analyzing atmospheric entry and impact events, while asteroid research focuses on understanding their orbits, composition, and potential for space mining and planetary defense.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Typically less than 1 meter
Ranges from meters to hundreds of kilometers
Origin
From comets or asteroids
Remnants of early solar system, mostly in asteroid belt
Earth Interaction
Burn up in atmosphere as meteors; some hit as meteorites
Rare collisions; studied for potential impacts
Composition
Rock, metal, or both
Rocky, metallic, sometimes carbon-rich
Scientific Interest
Atmospheric entry, meteor showers, meteorites
Orbit, composition, space mining, planetary defense
Compare with Definitions
Meteoroid
A small rocky or metallic body in outer space.
The sky lit up as the meteoroid entered the Earth’s atmosphere.
Asteroid
A large rocky body orbiting the Sun, mostly between Mars and Jupiter.
The asteroid belt contains millions of asteroids.
Meteoroid
Travels through space before entering an atmosphere.
Scientists tracked the meteoroid before it became a brilliant meteor.
Asteroid
Potential source of precious metals and other materials.
Space missions to asteroids aim to assess their mining potential.
Meteoroid
Can become a meteorite if it reaches Earth's surface.
The found meteorite was once a meteoroid in space.
Asteroid
Has complex orbital dynamics that scientists study.
NASA monitors asteroids that could potentially impact Earth.
Meteoroid
Often results from the breakup of comets.
That meteoroid likely originated from a comet's disintegration.
Asteroid
Varies widely in size and shape.
Ceres, the largest asteroid, is spherical and dwarfs many others.
Meteoroid
Can cause meteor showers when many enter Earth's atmosphere simultaneously.
The annual Perseid meteor shower results from Earth passing through a trail of meteoroids.
Asteroid
Plays a key role in theories about the solar system's formation.
Studying asteroids helps scientists understand planetary formation.
Meteoroid
A meteoroid () is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space. Meteoroids are significantly smaller than asteroids, and range in size from small grains to one-meter-wide objects.
Asteroid
An asteroid is a minor planet of the inner Solar System. Historically, these terms have been applied to any astronomical object orbiting the Sun that did not resolve into a disc in a telescope and was not observed to have characteristics of an active comet such as a tail.
Meteoroid
A solid body, moving in interplanetary space, that is smaller than an asteroid and at least as large as a speck of dust.
Asteroid
(Astronomy) Any of numerous small solar system bodies that revolve around the sun, with orbits lying chiefly between Mars and Jupiter and characteristic diameters roughly between one and several hundred kilometers. Also called minor planet, planetoid.
Meteoroid
(astronomy) A relatively small (sand- to boulder-sized) fragment of debris in a star system that produces a meteor when it hits the atmosphere
Asteroid
(Zoology) See starfish.
Meteoroid
A small body moving through space, or revolving about the sun, which on entering the earth's atmosphere would be deflagrated and appear as a meteor.
These bodies [small, solid bodies] before they come into the air, I call meteoroids.
Asteroid
Star-shaped.
Meteoroid
(astronomy) any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere
Asteroid
(zoology) Any member of the taxonomic class Asteroidea; a starfish
Asteroid
(astronomy) A naturally occurring solid object, which is smaller than a planet, larger than a meteoroid and not a comet, that orbits a star and often has an irregular shape.
Asteroid
(astronomy) In the Solar system, such a body that orbits within the orbit of Jupiter
Asteroid
A starlike body; esp. one of the numerous small planets whose orbits lie between those of Mars and Jupiter; - called also planetoids and minor planets.
Asteroid
Any of numerous small celestial bodies composed of rock and metal that move around the sun (mainly between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter)
Asteroid
Shaped like a star
Common Curiosities
How does an asteroid differ from a meteoroid?
An asteroid is generally larger and found primarily in the asteroid belt, while meteoroids are smaller and often enter Earth's atmosphere as meteors.
What happens when a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere?
It usually burns up due to friction, creating a visible streak of light called a meteor.
What is a meteoroid?
A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space, typically smaller than a meter across.
Can asteroids pose a threat to Earth?
Yes, particularly large asteroids could potentially collide with Earth, though such events are rare and closely monitored.
What are meteor showers?
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through a cloud of meteoroids, causing many meteors to appear as they burn up in the atmosphere.
What scientific benefits come from studying asteroids?
Studying asteroids provides insights into the solar system's formation and offers potential for space mining.
What role do meteoroids play in Earth's atmosphere?
Besides providing meteor showers, meteoroids contribute to the extraterrestrial material deposited on Earth.
How do meteoroids become meteorites?
If a meteoroid survives its fiery passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth, it is then classified as a meteorite.
How are meteoroids related to comets?
Meteoroids often originate from the debris left by comets as they orbit the Sun and shed material.
What defines the size limit between a meteoroid and an asteroid?
There's no strict size limit, but meteoroids are typically under a meter in diameter, while asteroids are larger.
How are asteroids explored?
Space missions, telescopes, and radar are used to study asteroids from afar and up close.
What are some famous meteor showers?
The Perseids and Leonids are among the most well-known meteor showers seen annually.
Why are meteorites valuable to scientists?
Meteorites can provide direct evidence about the composition of objects from outer space and the early solar system.
How can asteroids impact planetary defense strategies?
Understanding asteroid orbits and compositions helps in developing strategies to mitigate potential impacts on Earth.
Are all asteroids found in the asteroid belt?
While most are located there, some asteroids, known as near-Earth objects, orbit closer to Earth.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
