Meteoroid
Meteoroid
Meteoroid (/miːˈtiː.ər.ɔɪd/) is a small particle from a Comet or Asteroid orbiting the sun.
Etymology
The term "Meteoroid" comes from the Greek word meteōros, meaning 'high in the air', and the suffix -oid, meaning 'in the shape of'.
Definition
A Meteoroid is significantly smaller than an asteroid and considerably larger than an atom or molecule. The size of a meteoroid can range from the size of a grain of sand to the size of a boulder. When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere and vaporizes, it becomes a Meteor. If a meteoroid survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface, it is then called a Meteorite.
Related Terms
- Meteor: A meteoroid that has entered the Earth's atmosphere and is visible from the Earth's surface.
- Meteorite: A meteoroid that has survived its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and landed on the Earth's surface.
- Meteor Shower: A phenomenon where a group of meteors are observed to radiate from one point in the night sky.
- Asteroid: A large rocky body in space, in orbit around the Sun.
- Comet: A celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Meteoroid
- Wikipedia's article - Meteoroid
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