What Are Meteors?
Often called shooting stars, meteors are space debris that burn up upon entering Earth's atmosphere. These interstellar particles, mostly dust-sized, create a streak of light as they disintegrate.
Meteors vs. Meteorites
Meteors vaporize in the atmosphere. If they survive and hit the Earth's surface, they become meteorites. Meteoroids are space rocks before they enter the atmosphere, ranging from dust to boulder size.
Meteor Showers Explained
When Earth passes through a comet's debris, we experience meteor showers. These events, like the Perseids, occur annually as Earth intersects with the comet's orbit, bringing spectacular light displays.
Largest Meteorite on Earth
The Hoba meteorite in Namibia is the largest known on Earth, weighing about 60 tons. It's composed of iron and nickel and has never been moved from where it fell.
The Tunguska Event Mystery
In 1908, a massive explosion in Siberia flattened trees over 2,000 square kilometers. The Tunguska event is believed to be caused by a meteoroid that never hit the ground but exploded in the atmosphere.
Meteors in Ancient Cultures
Ancient cultures often interpreted meteors as omens. The Greeks named them 'meteoros', meaning 'high in the air', and some cultures considered them as messages from the gods or fallen stars.
Meteors' Speed and Size
Meteors can speed through the atmosphere at up to 72 kilometers per second. Despite their impressive light shows, most are just the size of a pebble.
Meteors' Sonic Booms
Some meteors create sonic booms audible on Earth, caused by their supersonic entry speeds. These booms can be heard up to 50 miles away.