Asteroid and Meteoroid:

Asteroids are small rocky bodies that resemble planets. They are also known as minor planets or planetoids. Asteroids orbit the Sun like all planets. Most asteroids are found in a region known as the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.




Meteoroids are smaller than asteroids. They are small pieces of metallic debris. Most of them are even smaller than a pebble. Meteoroids move around the Sun in varying orbits and speeds. Most meteoroids burn up when they enter the Earth's atmosphere.


Formation:


Asteroids are believed to be planetary materials that never came together to form planets. The four largest known asteroids are spherical or ball-shaped like Earth. They are called planetoids. Some asteroids are almost as big as some of the moons in our solar system. Meteoroids are formed from asteroids that collide within the asteroid belt.




Location of asteroids:






Astronomers believe that there are over 50,000 asteroids in the solar system. Most of them are found in the asteroid belt. They move in broadband that is around 3,10,33,365 km wide. Some are also found between the orbits of Mars and Earth.


Types of asteroids:




Asteroids are divided into three major types-carbonaceous or C-type, silicaceous or S-type, and metallic or M-type. Most asteroids are of the carbonaceous type. They are very dark. and are in the outer regions of the asteroid belt. The silicaceous asteroids are made of metallic iron asteroids. The bright metallic asteroids are made of metallic iron.


Moons of asteroids:




Many asteroids revolve around other asteroids. An asteroid that revolves around another asteroid is known as the moon of that asteroid. These asteroids are known as binary asteroids. Some asteroids have moons that are as large as the asteroid itself. Such asteroids are known as double asteroids.


Meteors:




A meteor is a meteoroid that enters the Earth's atmosphere and burns up because of friction.

Meteors appear as bright streaks of light in the night sky with a glowing trail. They are commonly known as shooting stars or falling stars.


Meteorites:

Meteorites are meteors that reach the Earth's surface. Some of their bun in the atmosphere and some fall as rocks and dust. 


Composition of meteorites:





Most meteorites are made up of iron and nickel. They originate from the metallic cores of planets. planetoids, or supernova explosions. Some meteorites are known as stony-iron and stone. There are some meteorites that are completely made of stone. They are the most common type of meteorite.


Fire ball: 

Fireballs are extremely bright meteors. They are sometimes followed by bright trails of light that last for a few minutes.