Meteoroids

A meteoroid is a small rock or particle of debris in our solar system. They are significantly smaller than asteroids and are often the remnants of comets or asteroids. Meteoroids can range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as 10 meters in diameter. These objects travel through space and can sometimes enter the Earth's atmosphere, where they are then called meteors.

Characteristics of Meteoroids

• Size: Meteoroids can vary in size from very small grains to 10 meters in diameter.
• Composition: They are composed of various materials, including rock, metal, and ice.
• Origin: Meteoroids can come from comets or asteroids.
• Orbit: They orbit the Sun, just like planets and asteroids, but their orbits can be more erratic.

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember about meteoroids:

1. What is a meteoroid and how does it differ from an asteroid?
2. Describe the size range of meteoroids and their composition.
3. Where do meteoroids come from?
4. What happens when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere?
5. Explain why meteoroids are sometimes called shooting stars.

Use the information above to answer the study guide questions and you'll have a good understanding of meteoroids!

[Meteoroids] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Our Solar SystemScience • Seventh Grade
• The solar systemScience • Fifth Grade
• Studying and exploring spaceScience • Sixth Grade
• The Sun-Earth-Moon SystemScience • Seventh Grade