Meteor vs. Meteorite: What's the Difference?
Read the comparison below, or explore it visually. Create a visual lesson comparing meteor and meteorite using available credits or plan allowance.
A meteor is the flash of light seen when a small space rock rushes into Earth's atmosphere and burns up, while a meteorite is a piece of that rock that survives the fall and lands on the ground. While still in space the rock is called a meteoroid. So the same object changes name as it travels: meteoroid, then meteor, then meteorite.
At a glance
| Meteor | Meteorite | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A glowing streak of light in the sky | A solid rock or metal lump on the ground |
| Where it is | High in the atmosphere, about 80-120 km up | On Earth's surface |
| How long it lasts | Usually a second or two | Can survive for millions of years |
| How common | Many every night; most are dust-sized grains | Rare; only larger, tougher pieces survive |
| Can you hold it | No; it is light from heated air and rock | Yes; collected and displayed in museums |
Which should you use?
Use meteor for a shooting star crossing the night sky, such as the dozens per hour visible during the Geminid meteor shower each December.
Use meteorite for a fallen space rock that can be picked up, such as the iron meteorites kept in museums or a stone found after a bright fireball.