Which statement best describes a meteor?

Which statement best describes a meteor?

• A. A meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up.
• B. A rock in space that orbits Mars.
• C. A comet that has a tail visible in space.
• D. A meteor shower seen in the night sky.

Answer: (A)

When a meteor is described, it means a tiny fragment from space (a meteoroid) enters Earth’s atmosphere and is heated by air friction, causing it to glow and burn up as it streaks across the sky. This bright display is what we call a meteor. If a piece actually reaches the ground, it’s called a meteorite, but the dazzling fireball you see in the sky is the meteoroid burning up in the atmosphere. The other scenarios describe different objects or events: a rock in space that orbits Mars isn’t a meteor; a comet with a visible tail is a comet; a meteor shower is many meteors seen over a period of time from debris left by a comet, not a single burning piece entering the atmosphere.

When a meteor is described, it means a tiny fragment from space (a meteoroid) enters Earth’s atmosphere and is heated by air friction, causing it to glow and burn up as it streaks across the sky. This bright display is what we call a meteor. If a piece actually reaches the ground, it’s called a meteorite, but the dazzling fireball you see in the sky is the meteoroid burning up in the atmosphere. The other scenarios describe different objects or events: a rock in space that orbits Mars isn’t a meteor; a comet with a visible tail is a comet; a meteor shower is many meteors seen over a period of time from debris left by a comet, not a single burning piece entering the atmosphere.