Block, SkipCaptcha, apieditor, Automoderated users, Bots, edit, ratelimit-exempt
59,032
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: − + − Strictly speaking, "meteors" are stones that are falling through the sky (aka "fireballs"). If a meteor hits the ground, it becomes known as a ''[[meteorite]]'' However, not many people bother to make this technical distinction. + − If a meteor enters Earth's atmosphere, it is often referred to as a "shooting star" or "falling star".+ − − Line 11:
Line 9: + + + + + − + + + + + + − +
→External links: Spelling, Grammar, and General Cleanup
A '''meteor''' is a kind of stone that falls from the [[sky]].
A '''meteor''' is a ''[[meteoroid]]'' (a small rocky object in space) that has entered the Earth's atmosphere. Friction causes it become burning in the atmosphere, causing the meteor to glow brightly. For this reason, a meteor is often referred to as a "shooting star" or "falling star". Most meteors are small and burn up in less than a second, but some very large ones glow brightly for many seconds and are called "fireballs" or "bolides." (See also [[Asteroid]]).
An exceptionally large meteor may not burn up completely in the atmosphere. If part of a meteor hits the ground, it becomes known as a ''[[meteorite]]''.
A major source of meteors lies between [[Mars]] and [[Jupiter]], an enormous cluster of meteoroids also known as the [[asteroid belt]]. Other (minor) meteoroid belts and clouds exist, and when the [[Earth]] passes through them periodic [[meteor shower]]s occur, such as the [[Perseiids]], [[Geminids]], and [[Taurids]].
A major source of meteors lies between [[Mars]] and [[Jupiter]], an enormous cluster of meteors also known as the [[asteroid belt]] (or [[Kuiper Belt]]). Other (minor) meteor belts and clouds exist, when the [[Earth]] passes through them periodic [[meteor shower]]s occur, such as the [[Perseiids]], [[Geminids]], and [[Taurids]].
Earth's orbit is far inside the belt between between Mars and Jupiter; another lies just outside of our solar system.
Earth's orbit is far inside the belt between between Mars and Jupiter; another lies just outside of our solar system.
There are currently several hundred known [[asteroid]]s, called Apollo asteroids, that are in Earth-crossing orbits.
There are currently several hundred known [[asteroid]]s, called Apollo asteroids, that are in Earth-crossing orbits.
==Asteroid belts==
Meteors are asteroids or pieces of them, which mostly come from one of the two asteroid belts in the [[Solar System]].
A large cluster of asteroids lies at the outskirts of our solar system and is known as the [[Kuiper Belt]], another one is the [[Asteroid belt]] between [[Mars]] and [[Jupiter]].
==Culture and History==
==Culture and History==
The ancient [[Greek]]s believed that the stones were [[Zeus]]'s thunderbolts. A famous quote by [[Thomas Jefferson]]:
The ancient [[Greek]]s believed that the stones were [[Zeus]]'s thunderbolts. A famous quote by [[Thomas Jefferson]]:
:"I would sooner believe that two [[Yankee]] [[professor]]s lied, than that stones fell from the sky."[http://www.eridu.co.uk/Author/atlantis/greek.html]
:"I would sooner believe that two [[Yankee]] [[professor]]s [[deceit|lied]], than that stones fell from the sky."[http://www.eridu.co.uk/Author/atlantis/greek.html]
It has been suggested by many that the "[[Artemis|image/stone that fell down from Jupiter/Zeus]]" in Acts 19:35, and the [[Kaaba]] stone enshrined in [[Mecca]] are meteorites.
==External links==
* [http://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-other-artifacts/kaaba-black-stone-holy-stone-outer-space-003661 The Kaaba Black Stone: A Holy Stone from Outer Space? (ancient-origins.net)]
[[Category: Astronomy]]
[[Category:Astronomy]]