Meteoroid

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. Most are fragments from comets or asteroids, whereas others are collision impact debris ejected from bodies such as the Moon or Mars.

Formation

Meteoroids are formed from the collision of asteroids and by the disruption of comets. They are also formed from the debris ejected during the formation of the Solar System.

Classification

Meteoroids are classified into three main types: iron, stony, and stony-iron. Iron meteoroids are largely composed of iron and nickel. Stony meteoroids are made up of silicate minerals, while stony-iron meteoroids are a mixture of metallic and rocky material.

Effects on Earth

When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it begins to ablate and creates a bright streak of light known as a meteor. If a meteoroid reaches the ground and survives impact, then it is called a meteorite.

See also

• Asteroid
• Comet
• Meteor
• Meteorite

References

Meteoroid Resources
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