2024/09/06

小行星、流星體、流星、和隕石如何區分?
小行星 Asteroid:
小行星是繞著太陽運行的小型岩石天體,通常位於火星和木星之間的「小行星帶」。這些天體雖然比行星小得多,但有時還是會對地球構成威脅。
An asteroid is a small rocky object that orbits the Sun, typically found in the “asteroid belt” between Mars and Jupiter. While much smaller than planets, they can sometimes threaten Earth.
流星體 Meteoroid:
流星體是指在太空中運行的小於小行星大於塵粒的岩石碎片。彗星會在其軌道上留下岩石碎片。當這些碎片進入地球大氣層而燃燒時,就成為流星。
A meteoroid is a space rock that is bigger than a dust grain but smaller than an asteroid. Comets leave debris in their orbit. When this debris enters Earth’s atmosphere and burns up, it becomes a meteor.
流星 Meteor (Falling Star, Shooting Star):
當小行星或流星體進入地球大氣層,並與空氣摩擦而燃燒,就稱為流星。較大的天體燃燒時非常明亮,稱為火流星。彗星在其軌道上的許多碎屑進入地球時會出現許多流星,稱為流星雨。
When an asteroid or meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere and burns due to friction with the air, it is called a meteor. Larger objects burn very brightly and are called bolides or fireballs. Many meteors appear when debris from a comet in its orbit enters the Earth, called a meteor shower.
隕石 Meteorite:
當小行星或流星體進入地球大氣層並未燃燒殆盡,而落到地表,就稱為隕石。隕石可能是岩石或金屬。
A meteorite is a piece of a meteoroid or an asteroid that survives its passage through Earth’s atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface. It can be made of rock or metal.