What is the difference between an asteroid and a Meteor?

In short, the difference between asteroids and meteors all comes down to a question of location. Asteroids are always found in space. Once it enters an atmosphere, it becomes a meteor, and then a meteorite after it hits the ground. read more

Asteroids and meteors are both types of space rocks. However, the difference between the two depends on how close they are to Earth’s surface. Asteroids. An asteroid is a small rocky body orbiting the sun. A close-up view of Eros, an asteroid with an orbit that takes it somewhat close to Earth. read more

An asteroid is a rocky object in space that's not as big as a planet and isn't a moon. There are millions of them, think the asteroid belt in space. A meteor is an asteroid that burns up as it enters the Earth's atmosphere, think shooting stars. A meteorite is a meteor that actually lands on the surface of Earth, think about Russia today. read more