Asteroids or Meteoroids?

These words can be pretty confusing. They are both found in space, can orbit the Sun, and are made rocky and metallic. The only difference is that meteoroids are pieces of broken off asteroids, comets or planets (maybe moons).

I came across this simple way to remember what they are from the Windows to the Universe website:

How can you remember whether something is a meteor, a meteoroid, or a meteorite? Here's how I do it! When they are out in space, like asteroids, they are called meteoroids. When they are streaking through theatmosphere as bright flashes of light, we call them meteors - which reminds me of meteorology, which is the science concerned with weather and the atmosphere. [Meteorology is not the science of meteors!] When they reach the ground, we call them meteorites - which reminds me of the stalactites and stalagmites that are found under the ground in caves. I hope that helps you remember too!

Last modified April 29, 2008 by Becca Hatheway.