During entry of a meteoroid or asteroid into the upper atmosphere, an ionization trail is created, as molecules in the upper atmosphere are ionized by the passage of the object.
Other meteoroids are not associated with any stream clustering (although there must also be meteoroids clustered in orbits that do not intercept the orbit of Earth or any other planet).
A meteoroid is a small body of debris in the Solar System, roughly ranging in size from a sand grain to a boulder.
Small, sand-grain sized meteoroids continually enter the atmosphere, essentially every few seconds in a given region.
Fortunately, the atmosphere acts as a shield that protects living organisms from bombardment by most meteoroids.
The bright streak of light that appears when a meteoroid enters Earth's (or another body's) atmosphere is called a meteor, also referred to as a shooting star or falling star.
Meteoroids and asteroids orbit around the Sun, in greatly differing orbits.
Tiny meteoroids continually enter the Earth's atmosphere, practically every few seconds in a given area.
A meteorite is the portion of a meteoroid or asteroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and strikes the ground without being destroyed.
A meteor is the brightly visible pathway of a meteoroid or asteroid that enters Earth's atmosphere.