Difference between revisions of "Meteor"
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] metheour, from Middle French meteore, from Medieval [[Latin]] meteorum, from [[Greek]] meteōron, from neuter of meteōros high in air, from meta- + -eōros, from aeirein to lift | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] metheour, from Middle French meteore, from Medieval [[Latin]] meteorum, from [[Greek]] meteōron, from neuter of meteōros high in air, from meta- + -eōros, from aeirein to lift | ||
| − | *Date: [ | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_Century 15th century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1 : an [[atmospheric]] [[phenomenon]] (as lightning or a snowfall) | *1 : an [[atmospheric]] [[phenomenon]] (as lightning or a snowfall) | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
:b : the streak of [[light]] produced by the passage of a meteor | :b : the streak of [[light]] produced by the passage of a meteor | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | A '''meteor''' is the visible streak of [[light]] that occurs when a ''meteoroid'', a sand- to boulder-sized [[particle]] of debris in the [[Solar System]], enters the [[Earth]]'s [[atmosphere]]. Meteors typically occur in the [ | + | A '''meteor''' is the visible streak of [[light]] that occurs when a ''meteoroid'', a sand- to boulder-sized [[particle]] of debris in the [[Solar System]], enters the [[Earth]]'s [[atmosphere]]. Meteors typically occur in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesosphere mesosphere], and most range in altitude from 75 km to 100 km. Millions of meteors occur in the [[Earth]]'s [[atmosphere]] every day. Most meteoroids that cause meteors are about the size of a pebble. They become visible between about 40 and 75 miles (65 and 120 kilometers) above the earth. They disintegrate at altitudes of 30 to 60 miles (50 to 95 kilometers). Meteors have roughly a fifty percent [[chance]] of a daylight (or near daylight) collision with the Earth as the Earth [[orbits]] in the direction of roughly west at noon. Most meteors are, however, [[observed]] at night as low [[light]] conditions allow fainter meteors to be observed. |
| − | For [[bodies]] with a size [[scale]] larger than the [[atmospheric]] [ | + | For [[bodies]] with a size [[scale]] larger than the [[atmospheric]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_free_path mean free path] (10 cm to several metres) the visibility is due to the atmospheric ram [[pressure]] (not [[friction]]) that [[heats]] the meteoroid so that it [[glow]]s and creates a shining trail of [[gases]] and melted meteoroid [[particles]]. The [[gases]] include vaporized meteoroid [[material]] and [[atmospheric]] [[gases]] that heat up when the meteoroid passes through the atmosphere. Most meteors [[glow]] for about a second. A [[relatively]] small percentage of meteoroids hit the Earth's atmosphere and then pass out again: these are termed [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Daylight_1972_Fireball#All_known_Earth-grazing_fireballs Earth-grazing fireballs]. |
| − | Meteors may occur in [ | + | Meteors may occur in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteor_shower showers], which arise when the [[Earth]] passes through a trail of debris left by a [[comet]], or as "[[random]]" or "sporadic" meteors, not [[associated]] with a specific single [[cause]]. A [[number]] of specific meteors have been [[observed]], largely by members of the [[public]] and largely by [[accident]], but with enough detail that [[orbits]] of the incoming meteors or meteorites have been [[calculated]]. All of them came from orbits from the vicinity of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroid_belt asteroid belt].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteor#Meteor] |
==Meteorite== | ==Meteorite== | ||
A '''meteorite''' is a ''meteoroid'' (a solid piece of debris from such sources as asteroids or [[comets]]) originating in outer [[space]] that [[survives]] impact with the Earth's [[surface]]. A meteorite's size can range from small to extremely large. When a meteoroid enters the [[atmosphere]], frictional pressure, and chemical [[interactions]] with the atmospheric gases cause the body to heat up and emit [[light]], thus forming a fireball, also known as a meteor or shooting/falling star. The term ''bolide'' refers to either an [[extraterrestrial]] body that collides with the Earth, or to an exceptionally bright, fireball-like meteor regardless of whether it ultimately impacts the surface. | A '''meteorite''' is a ''meteoroid'' (a solid piece of debris from such sources as asteroids or [[comets]]) originating in outer [[space]] that [[survives]] impact with the Earth's [[surface]]. A meteorite's size can range from small to extremely large. When a meteoroid enters the [[atmosphere]], frictional pressure, and chemical [[interactions]] with the atmospheric gases cause the body to heat up and emit [[light]], thus forming a fireball, also known as a meteor or shooting/falling star. The term ''bolide'' refers to either an [[extraterrestrial]] body that collides with the Earth, or to an exceptionally bright, fireball-like meteor regardless of whether it ultimately impacts the surface. | ||
| − | More generally, a meteorite on the [[surface]] of any [[celestial]] body is a natural object that has come from elsewhere in [[space]]. Meteorites have been found on the [[Moon]] and [ | + | More generally, a meteorite on the [[surface]] of any [[celestial]] body is a natural object that has come from elsewhere in [[space]]. Meteorites have been found on the [[Moon]] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars Mars]. Meteorites that are recovered after being [[observed]] as they transited the [[atmosphere]] or impacted the Earth are called falls. All other meteorites are known as finds. As of February 2010, there are approximately 1,086 witnessed falls having specimens in the world's collections. In [[contrast]], there are more than 38,660 well-documented meteorite finds. |
Meteorites have traditionally been divided into three broad categories: stony meteorites are rocks, mainly composed of silicate [[minerals]]; iron meteorites are largely composed of metallic iron-nickel; and, stony-iron meteorites contain large amounts of both metallic and rocky material. Modern [[classification]] schemes divide meteorites into [[groups]] according to their [[structure]], [[chemical]] and isotopic [[composition]] and mineralogy. Meteorites smaller than 2mm are classified as ''micrometeorites''. | Meteorites have traditionally been divided into three broad categories: stony meteorites are rocks, mainly composed of silicate [[minerals]]; iron meteorites are largely composed of metallic iron-nickel; and, stony-iron meteorites contain large amounts of both metallic and rocky material. Modern [[classification]] schemes divide meteorites into [[groups]] according to their [[structure]], [[chemical]] and isotopic [[composition]] and mineralogy. Meteorites smaller than 2mm are classified as ''micrometeorites''. | ||
[[Category: Astronomy]] | [[Category: Astronomy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:39, 13 December 2020
Etymology
Middle English metheour, from Middle French meteore, from Medieval Latin meteorum, from Greek meteōron, from neuter of meteōros high in air, from meta- + -eōros, from aeirein to lift
- Date: 15th century
Definitions
- 1 : an atmospheric phenomenon (as lightning or a snowfall)
- 2 a : any of the small particles of matter in the solar system that are directly observable only by their incandescence from frictional heating on entry into the atmosphere
- b : the streak of light produced by the passage of a meteor
Description
A meteor is the visible streak of light that occurs when a meteoroid, a sand- to boulder-sized particle of debris in the Solar System, enters the Earth's atmosphere. Meteors typically occur in the mesosphere, and most range in altitude from 75 km to 100 km. Millions of meteors occur in the Earth's atmosphere every day. Most meteoroids that cause meteors are about the size of a pebble. They become visible between about 40 and 75 miles (65 and 120 kilometers) above the earth. They disintegrate at altitudes of 30 to 60 miles (50 to 95 kilometers). Meteors have roughly a fifty percent chance of a daylight (or near daylight) collision with the Earth as the Earth orbits in the direction of roughly west at noon. Most meteors are, however, observed at night as low light conditions allow fainter meteors to be observed.
For bodies with a size scale larger than the atmospheric mean free path (10 cm to several metres) the visibility is due to the atmospheric ram pressure (not friction) that heats the meteoroid so that it glows and creates a shining trail of gases and melted meteoroid particles. The gases include vaporized meteoroid material and atmospheric gases that heat up when the meteoroid passes through the atmosphere. Most meteors glow for about a second. A relatively small percentage of meteoroids hit the Earth's atmosphere and then pass out again: these are termed Earth-grazing fireballs.
Meteors may occur in showers, which arise when the Earth passes through a trail of debris left by a comet, or as "random" or "sporadic" meteors, not associated with a specific single cause. A number of specific meteors have been observed, largely by members of the public and largely by accident, but with enough detail that orbits of the incoming meteors or meteorites have been calculated. All of them came from orbits from the vicinity of the asteroid belt.[1]
Meteorite
A meteorite is a meteoroid (a solid piece of debris from such sources as asteroids or comets) originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. A meteorite's size can range from small to extremely large. When a meteoroid enters the atmosphere, frictional pressure, and chemical interactions with the atmospheric gases cause the body to heat up and emit light, thus forming a fireball, also known as a meteor or shooting/falling star. The term bolide refers to either an extraterrestrial body that collides with the Earth, or to an exceptionally bright, fireball-like meteor regardless of whether it ultimately impacts the surface.
More generally, a meteorite on the surface of any celestial body is a natural object that has come from elsewhere in space. Meteorites have been found on the Moon and Mars. Meteorites that are recovered after being observed as they transited the atmosphere or impacted the Earth are called falls. All other meteorites are known as finds. As of February 2010, there are approximately 1,086 witnessed falls having specimens in the world's collections. In contrast, there are more than 38,660 well-documented meteorite finds.
Meteorites have traditionally been divided into three broad categories: stony meteorites are rocks, mainly composed of silicate minerals; iron meteorites are largely composed of metallic iron-nickel; and, stony-iron meteorites contain large amounts of both metallic and rocky material. Modern classification schemes divide meteorites into groups according to their structure, chemical and isotopic composition and mineralogy. Meteorites smaller than 2mm are classified as micrometeorites.
