Difference between meteor and meteorite
What are meteors and meteorites?
Meteors and meteorites are objects that fall from space to Earth. The main difference between the two is their size.
Meteorites
Meteors, also known asShooting Stars, are small objects that usually measure less than a centimeter. When a meteor enters the atmosphere from the earth, it heats up and begins to glow brightly. This phenomenon is known as arain of starsand it is an impressive sight to observe in the night sky.
Meteorites
Meteorites are larger objects than meteors. They normally measure more than a meter and are made of rocks and metals. When a meteorite enters the Earth's atmosphere, it heats up and begins to glow. But unlike meteors, meteorites are not completely consumed and can fall to the Earth's ground.
Meteorites can have different shapes and sizes. Some meteorites have a smooth, black surface because they have been exposed to space for thousands of years. Other meteorites have rough surfaces and often show different colors and patterns due to their composition.
The Fall of Meteorites
When a meteorite falls on the Earth's surface, it can have different effects. If it is small enough, it can fall without causing more damage than a small crater. But if the meteorite is large enough, it can cause a large explosion and cause catastrophic damage.
The most famous event in the history The meteorite fall occurred in 1908 in the Tunguska region of Siberia. A meteorite about 50 meters in diameter exploded in the atmosphere, causing an explosion equivalent to that of a nuclear bomb. Fortunately, the area was very sparsely populated and no one was injured.
Conclusion
In short, meteors and meteorites are objects that fall from space to Earth. The main difference between the two is their size, meteors being smaller than meteorites. Meteors produce a spectacular meteor shower while meteorites can impact the Earth's surface and cause significant damage. How wonderful is the universe!