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A '''meteor''' is a kind of stone that falls from the [[sky]]. The ancient [[Greek]]s believed that the stones were [[Zeus]]'s thunderbolts. A famous quote by [[Thomas Jefferson]]:

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]]).

:"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]

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]], it is an enormous cluster of meteors, also known as an [[asteroid belt]]. Other meteor belts and clouds exist. It is the [[Earth]]'s passing through these belt and clouds that causes periodic [[meteor shower]]s 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, however, never passes through the belt between between Mars and Jupiter or the [[Kuiper Belt]] which 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.

Meteorites from those belts break free and may collide with Earth.

Meteoroids from those belts break free and may collide with Earth.

There are currently several hundred known asteroids, 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.  

[[Category:Meteorology]]

Meteors are asteroids or pieces of them, which mostly come from one of the two asteroid belts in the [[Solar System]].

[[Category: Astronomy]]

 

The ancient [[Greek]]s believed that the stones were [[Zeus]]'s thunderbolts. A famous quote by [[Thomas Jefferson]]:

 

 

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.

 

 

 

[[Category:Astronomy]]