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A '''meteor''' is a ''[[meteoroid]]'' (a small rocky object in space) that has entered the Earth's atmosphere.  Friction causes it to burn 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]]).

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]]''.  

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]]. Another large cluster of meteoroids lies just outside of our solar system and is known as the [[Kuiper 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 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]].

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.  

==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]

 

 

* [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]]