Why do asteroids burn up in the atmosphere?

Obviously, it would not be good for a spacecraft to burn up when it re-enters the atmosphere! Two technologies are used to allow spacecraft to re-enter: Ablative technology; Insulating tile technology. In ablative technology, the surface of the heat shield melts and vaporizes, and in the process, it carries away heat. read more

Well, it’s the small meteoroids that “burn up” in the atmosphere - shooting stars. Actually, small asteroids up to about ten meters in size probably “burn up” in the atmosphere - nickle-iron ones may stay together and impact the Earth. Bigger stony ones might stay together and impact the Earth. read more

When the meteor hits the atmosphere, the air in front of it compresses incredibly quickly. When a gas is compressed, its temperature rises. This causes the meteor to heat up so much that it glows. read more

Friction is a part, but only a part, of the reason asteroids usually "burn up" in the atmosphere. When a meteoroid enters the upper atmosphere of Earth, it is travelling at a very high speed; in the neighborhood of 30,000 MPH. As it enters the atmosphere the air in front of it is compressed. When a gas is compressed, its temperature rises. read more