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When a space rock hits the atmosphere, the heat of friction and the compression shock wave heat the rock to incandescence, or "glowing hot". It is this streak of fire in the sky that we call a "meteor", sometimes inaccurately called a "falling star" or "shooting star". Sometimes the heat and pressure cause the rock to break up, or oftentimes, to explode.
If the meteor strikes the Earth, it becomes a "meteorite". If it is big enough and fast enough, it may explode on impact, causing a crater.
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Blake
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SteveMeteors break up as they enter Earth's atmosphere due to friction, heat, and pressure, causing them to disintegrate into smaller pieces. Meteorites can break up due to impacts with the Earth's surface or from natural weathering processes over time, causing them to fragment into smaller pieces.
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Why meteors are important?
Meteors are not that important, meteorites might be.
What are the different kinds of meteors?
There are three main types of meteors: iron, stony-iron, and stony. Iron meteors are primarily composed of iron and nickel. Stony-iron meteors have roughly equal amounts of rock and iron-nickel. Stony meteors are made up of silicates and other minerals.
What two objects produce meteorites?
comets and asteroids
What layer of the earth has shooting stars and meteorites?
Shooting stars and meteorites are found in the mesosphere layer of the Earth's atmosphere. This layer extends from about 31 to 53 miles (50 to 85 kilometers) above the Earth's surface and is where most meteors burn up upon entry.
What are those holes in the moon called?
The holes are called craters. They are the sites of impact of meteors and meteorites. The walls of the holes consist of dust thrown up and out by the impact.
