Meteoroid
(Redirected from Meteoroids)
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD