128k views
2 votes
What causes an asteroid to become a meteor?

2 Answers

4 votes
When an asteroid enters the atmosphere, air resistance and friction causes the asteroid to increase in temperature. Eventually, there will be a point where it is nothing but a flaming ball, which is what we call a meteor. This meteor should burn out in the atmosphere and rarely hits Earth's surface. Hope this helps ;)
User Einar Sundgren
by
3.4k points
5 votes

If a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere and vaporizes, it becomes a meteor, which is often called a shooting star.

User Chris Pillen
by
3.2k points