2007-04-04 13:37:48 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Cute previous answer, and somewhat right in a way.
A meteorite or meteor (called one or the other depending on size) is just an asteroid or piece of an asteroid that enters the atmosphere.
So outside the atmosphere it is an asteroid, or a piece of one, in side the atmosphere it gets called a meteor or meteorite.
2007-04-04 13:43:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First a definition of 'meteorite' -- this is the chunk of metal or stone that passes through Earth's atmosphere and lands on the ground. Before it strikes Earth it's a 'meteor' which is the streak of light in the sky as the object heats up in the atmosphere. A 'meteoroid' is the object drifting in space.
An asteroid is essentially just a much larger meteoroid drifting in space. Some are miles in diameter, others just a few feet. When asteroids collide bits and pieces can break off and eventually find their way so close to Earth that they're caught by our gravity and pulled down towards the surface. There are also meteoroids that are nothing more than tiny pieces of comets that have been pulled in close to our sun.
2007-04-04 21:22:26 · answer #2 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
An asteroid is a celestial body that drifts about the solar system. An asteroid becomes a meteorite when it enters the atmosphere.
2007-04-04 20:40:42 · answer #3 · answered by YoungShyCareerGirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A meteorite is an object that came from space and landed on the earth. An asteroid is a relatively large object orbiting the sun.
2007-04-04 20:41:19 · answer #4 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Heck, why do people make up answers.
Both are fragments, just different sizes. Generally, if a meteoroid (that's what they are called when flying aorund out there) is above a few metres in size, some would call it a small asteroid (and vice versa, a small asteroid is often called a meteoroid).
Its like the difference between dust, a pebble, a rock and a boulder - all the same thing, really.
2007-04-04 22:26:07 · answer #5 · answered by nick s 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe an asteroid are the large rocks that float around in space. Meteorites are pieces of asteroids that fall to the earths surface.
2007-04-04 20:41:35 · answer #6 · answered by Andigurl 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Now I'm not 100% certain, but I believe meterorites are broken-off pieces of an asteroid.
That sounds right to me, but astronomical sciences isn't my strong point. I'm more into life sciences or social sciences...
2007-04-04 20:40:55 · answer #7 · answered by rockerweenie 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
metiorites are bigger, slower moving, asteroids are smaller, fast moving
2007-04-04 20:40:41 · answer #8 · answered by K@T 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Basically the same but, metorites are smaller.
2007-04-04 20:41:13 · answer #9 · answered by Chalie M 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
first cousins.
2007-04-04 20:40:14 · answer #10 · answered by Speaking_Up 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋