
| Asteroid: | A
relatively small, inactive body, composed of rock, carbon or metal, which
is orbiting the Sun. |
| Comet: | A
relatively small, sometimes active object, which is composed of dirt and
ices. Comets are characterised by dust and gas tails when in proximity to
the Sun. Far from the Sun it is difficult to distinguish an asteroid from
a comet. |
| Meteoroid: | A
small particle from an asteroid or comet orbiting he Sun. |
| Meteor: | A
meteoroid that is observed as it burns up in the Earth's atmosphere - a
shooting star. |
| Meteorite: | A
meteoroid that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and
impacts the Earth's surface. |
Reference:
http://www.nearearthobjects.co.uk/
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Updated: Sunday 23rd, October, 2011