- #1
- 8,142
- 1,760
A meteor that came down in the NW this morning was caught on camera.
A pilot reported seeing it hit the ground.
A pilot reported seeing it hit the ground.
Last edited by a moderator:
A meteor is a small piece of space debris that enters Earth's atmosphere at high speeds and creates a bright streak of light as it burns up due to friction with the air. It is also commonly referred to as a shooting star or falling star.
The size of the meteor can vary greatly, but typically they are small, ranging from a grain of sand to the size of a small pebble. The one that hit the ground in the NW was estimated to be about the size of a golf ball.
No, it is actually quite rare for a meteor to make it all the way to the ground. Most meteors burn up completely in the atmosphere before reaching the ground. Only about 5-10% of meteors are large enough to survive and impact the Earth's surface.
Meteors can travel at speeds of up to 160,000 miles per hour as they enter Earth's atmosphere. However, as they encounter air resistance, they slow down significantly and can hit the ground at speeds of around 20-40 miles per hour.
After a meteor impacts the ground, it is referred to as a meteorite. Depending on its size and composition, it may leave a small crater or just create a small indentation on the surface. Scientists can study meteorites to learn more about the composition and formation of our solar system.