At what point does an asteroid become a meteorite?

Question

Apologies if I'm being thick, but I just haven't got a clue what the difference is!

Answer 1

Asteroids, also called minor planets or planetoids, are a class of astronomical objects. The term asteroid is generally used to indicate a diverse group of small celestial bodies in the solar system that orbit around the Sun. Asteroid (Greek for "star-like") is the most commonly used word in the English literature for minor planets, which has been the term preferred by the International Astronomical Union; some other languages prefer planetoid (Greek: "planet-like"), because it more accurately describes what they are. In late August 2006, the IAU introduced the term "small solar system bodies" (SSSBs), which includes most objects thus far classified as minor planets, as well as comets. At the same time they introduced the term dwarf planet for the largest minor planets. This article deals specifically with the minor planets that orbit in the inner solar system (roughly up to the orbit of Jupiter). For other types of objects, such as comets, Trans-Neptunian objects, and centaurs, see Small solar system body.

A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives an impact with the Earth's surface without being destroyed. While in space it is called a meteoroid. When it enters the atmosphere, air resistance causes the body to heat up and emit light, thus forming a fireball, also known as a meteor or shooting star. The term bolide refers to either an extraterrestrial body that collides with the Earth, or to an exceptionally bright, fireball-like meteor regardless of whether it ultimately impacts the surface. The meteorite is the source of the light.

Answer 2

Astronomy is replete with terms, many unique to the science...

A meteorite is an object that hits Earth (or another planet).

A meteor is the bright streak of light seen when a small object enters the atmosphere and vapourises, typically a meteoroid. (This could be further subdivided into: Fireball, an exceptionally bright meteor; Bolide, a meteor accompanied by sound, usually a sonic boom. Would love to hear that!)

A meteoroid is any small object in space, from a speck of dust to something a little bigger. Just when a meteoroid is big enough to be termed as an asteroid is a bit fuzzy.

An asteroid could be termed as any solid object in the solar system that is not a planet or comet or meteoroid.

So an asteroid doesn't really 'change' as such but if it hit Earth we'd call it a meteorite.

To date I have not heard of a person having been hit by a meteorite although a few have come close and there have been occasions of damage to property. However, there is a case of a dog in Egypt that was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Answer 3

You know, I am not completely sure an asteroid can become a meteorite.

A meteoroid is a rocky piece of debris floating through space. It may be as small as a grain of sand or as big as a house. A really big house.

When a meteoroid collides with Earth, its name gets shortened to meteor. Meteor is the technical term for shooting star. The meteor burns up in the atmosphere leaving a bright visible trail. If it can make it all the way to the surface, the fragment left over is a meteorite. (Most don't make it that far.)

So in short, it's meteoroid -> meteor -> meteorite. And not all meteoroids become meteors, not all meteors become meteorites.

Now asteroids on the other hand, these are space rocks even bigger than a really big house. Some are hundreds of kilometers in diameter, big enough to spot with a good telescope. Most have a predictable orbit and pose no threat to Earth. Others, like Apophis, have orbits that come near to Earth ocassionally. An asteroid has never struck the Earth in our recorded history, so there actually isn't any terminology for that as we have for meteors.

Answer 4

Its a very intelligent question lady...

Asteroid: A relatively small, inactive body, composed of rock, carbon or metal, which is orbiting the Sun.
Comet: A relatively small, sometimes active object, which is composed of dirt and ices. Comets are characterised by dust and gas tails when in proximity to the Sun. Far from the Sun it is difficult to distinguish an asteroid from a comet.
Meteoroid: A small particle from an asteroid or comet orbiting the Sun.
Meteor: A meteoroid that is observed as it burns up in the Earth's atmosphere - a shooting star.
Meteorite: A meteoroid that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and impacts the Earth's surface.

So if the asteroid enters the earths atmosphere, burns and yet survives the impact with the earths surface (and we find it :) ) it is called a Meteorite
Cheers

Ritu

Answer 5

A quick and simple answer to that question is, it doesn't. An asteroid and a meteorite are two different objects. An asteroid is a lump of rock that is in orbit between Mars and Jupiter. They are millions of rocks left over from the formation of the planets billions of years ago. A meteor however has a far greater orbit than an asteroid. They are blocks of frozen gas .They go to the edge of our galaxy and then back towards the sun were the suns heat melts the gas in the meteor. It then forms a tail millions of miles long before it heads back out in to space again, not returning for hundreds or even thousands of years.

Answer 6

An Asteroid becomes a meteorite when it enters Earth's (planets) atmosphere. In most cases the meteorite burns up in the earths atmosphere.

Answer 7

Meteors become meteorites when they survive impact with Earth's surface.

Asteroids are much bigger. I think the present classification by size calls for a minimum diameter of 0.5 kilometer to be called an asteroid. Planet-killers are 10 kilometers in diameter and up.

Answer 8

When it lands on the Earth, which, thankfully, most asteroids don't. Most asteroids are located in stable orbits between Mars and Jupiter. Meteoroids are much smaller versions of space debris, usually pea sized or smaller. When these enter the Earth's atmosphere they cause it to glow and are seen from the surface as meteors. A tiny fraction of these fail to be burnt up completely and reach the surface of the Earth, where they are known as meteoroids.

Answer 9

Asteriod are said to be small planets orbiting in the asteriod belt btw mars and jupiter they become meteorites when they enter into the atmosphere of a planet

Answer 10

Great question great answers. Logic's Logic - during a meteor shower, take a TV not hooked up to cable and tune to the lowest channel (closest to ch 2 the better). Adjust the brightness to the point just where the raster disappears. Watch for the raster to reappear as the meteors generate radio waves when they enter our atmosphere.