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A '''meteor''' is small rocky object that comes from space and falls through the sky (a "fireball"). In space, it is called a ''[[meteoroid]]'' (see also [[Asteroid]]).

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]]).

If a meteor enters Earth's atmosphere, it is often referred to as a "shooting star" or "falling star".

If 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 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]].

 

A major source of meteors lies between [[Mars]] and [[Jupiter]], an enormous cluster of meteoroids also known as the [[asteroid belt]] (or [[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]].

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.