Meteors

Meteors

Meteors are pieces of rock or metal that travel through space. When they enter Earth's atmosphere, they heat up and create a bright streak of light in the sky. People often call them “shooting stars,” but they are not stars. Most meteors burn up before reaching the ground, but some survive and land on Earth. These are called meteorites. Scientists study meteors to learn more about space and the history of our solar system.

Science and Engineering Practice (SEP): Developing and Using Models

Scientists collect data on meteors to understand how they move, how big they are, and what they are made of. By studying meteorites found on Earth and comparing them to observations from space, they can figure out where they came from. Engineers and scientists also build models to study meteor impacts and predict what might happen if a large meteor hits Earth.

Activity Ideas:

• Track a meteor shower - Try observing a meteor shower! Use an online sky map or a stargazing app to determine when the next meteor shower will happen. Go outside on a clear night, count how many meteors you see in a set time, like 10 or 15 minutes, and note their brightness and direction.
• Meteor Motion Model - Drop marbles into a tray of flour to model how meteors crash into surfaces. Try different speeds and angles. How do they change the shape and size of the craters?

Crosscutting Concept (CCC): Systems and System Models

Meteors come in all sizes, and their effects depend on how big they are. A tiny meteor the size of a grain of sand can still create a visible streak in the sky, while a larger one can leave a crater or even change Earth's surface. Scientists use computer models to predict what might happen if a large meteor strikes Earth.

By studying meteors, scientists get a better understanding of space and how objects from space interact with Earth.