Difference between revisions of "Meteor"
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
:"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 lied, than that stones fell from the sky."[http://www.eridu.co.uk/Author/atlantis/greek.html] | ||
| − | + | 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]]. | |
| + | |||
| + | Earth, however, never passes through the belt between between Mars and Jupiter or the [[Kuiper Belt]] which lies just outside of our solar system. | ||
| + | Meteorites 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. | ||
Strictly speaking, "meteors" are stones that are falling through the sky (aka "fireballs"). When they hit the ground, they become known as "meteorite." However, not many people bother to make this technical distinction. Even some [[textbook]]s get it wrong. | Strictly speaking, "meteors" are stones that are falling through the sky (aka "fireballs"). When they hit the ground, they become known as "meteorite." However, not many people bother to make this technical distinction. Even some [[textbook]]s get it wrong. | ||
Revision as of 20:47, May 13, 2007
A meteor is a kind of stone that falls from the sky. The ancient Greeks believed that the stones were Zeus's thunderbolts. A famous quote by Thomas Jefferson:
- "I would sooner believe that two Yankee professors lied, than that stones fell from the sky."[1]
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 showers 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. Meteorites 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.
Strictly speaking, "meteors" are stones that are falling through the sky (aka "fireballs"). When they hit the ground, they become known as "meteorite." However, not many people bother to make this technical distinction. Even some textbooks get it wrong.