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Questions and Answers
What do scientists call a meteor when it is as bright as the planet Venus?
What do scientists call a meteor when it is as bright as the planet Venus?
- Fireball (correct)
- Shooting star
- Comet
- Asteroid
What sound might a fireball make when entering Earth's atmosphere?
What sound might a fireball make when entering Earth's atmosphere?
- Silent entry
- Humming
- Booming or cracking (correct)
- Whistling
Why are fireballs often not seen by people?
Why are fireballs often not seen by people?
- They move too fast to be seen
- They occur during the day or over unpopulated areas (correct)
- They are invisible to the naked eye
- They are too high in the atmosphere
What typically happens to space debris that creates a meteor as it enters Earth's atmosphere?
What typically happens to space debris that creates a meteor as it enters Earth's atmosphere?
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What is the result of large impacts from space debris hitting Earth's surface?
What is the result of large impacts from space debris hitting Earth's surface?
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Study Notes
What is a Meteor?
- A meteor is a piece of comet, meteoroid, or asteroid that travels into Earth's atmosphere.
- Millions of these objects are present in space, and occasionally they enter Earth's atmosphere.
- When a meteor enters the atmosphere, it creates heat, causing it to glow, and appears as a shooting star.
Meteor Showers
- Meteor showers occur when Earth travels through the tail of a comet or an area with high space debris.
- This results in a spectacular sight, with hundreds of shooting stars visible.
- Major meteor showers happen about 40 times a year, and finding a calendar online can help plan viewing.
Fireballs
- A meteor is considered a fireball if it is as bright as the planet Venus.
- Fireballs are rare and can produce a booming or cracking sound when entering the atmosphere.
- They can occur during the day or over areas with low population, making them difficult to observe.
Impacts on Earth
- Most meteors are completely burned up in the atmosphere, leaving no impact.
- Rarely, large impacts occur, resulting in craters, which are deep, hollowed-out bowl-like indentations.
- Scientists have identified locations in America and around the world where craters are believed to have been created by meteors.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of meteors and learn more about what they are. From shooting stars to pieces of comets, meteoroids, or asteroids that enter Earth's atmosphere, discover the science behind these celestial wonders.
