14.1-Meteors Vocabulary

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the definitions, physical properties, and classification of meteors, meteorites, and meteor showers, as well as specific show and parent object data from the lecture.

Meteoroid

A small space rock or broken piece of an asteroid or comet before it enters the Earth's atmosphere.

Meteor

The fiery streak of light or "shooting star" that occurs when a meteoroid burns up as it enters the Earth's atmosphere.

Meteorite

A space rock that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface.

Meteor Shower

An event that occurs when the Earth intersects a comet's path and moves through the stream of debris and dust emitted by that comet.

Radiant

The specific area in the sky from which the meteors in a shower appear to originate.

Fireball

A very bright meteor caused by a larger meteoroid that has more energy and can sometimes explode or produce sound.

Shooting Star

A common name for a meteor, caused by a tiny meteoroid striking the atmosphere and burning up.

Iron and Nickel

Metals often found in high content within meteorites, which are rare in typical Earth rocks.

Magnetism

A physical property many space rocks possess because of their high iron content, used by scientists for identification.

Density

A characteristic of meteorites where they are usually heavier for their size compared to normal Earth rocks.

Comet Swift-Tuttle

The parent object associated with the Perseid meteor shower, visible around August $11$–$13$.

Comet Thatcher

The parent object associated with the Lyrid meteor shower, typically seen around April $22$–$23$.

Comet Halley

The parent object associated with both the Eta Aquarid and the Orionid meteor showers.

2003EH

An asteroid identified as the parent object of the Quadrantid meteor shower.

Phaethon

An asteroid identified as the parent object of the Geminid meteor shower.

Perseus

The constellation that serves as the radiant for the Perseids meteor shower.

Magnesium

A chemical element in a meteor's composition that contributes to its visible color.

Sodium

The chemical element responsible for producing an orange or yellow color in a meteor.

Calcium

The chemical element responsible for producing a purple color in a meteor.

Near-Earth Objects (NEO)

Heavenly bodies such as asteroids and comets that are located or orbit near Earth.

Elliptical

The shape of the orbits typically associated with asteroids and comets.

Al Qudra Desert

One of the specific regions in the UAE identified as a best place to watch meteor showers.

Jebel Jais

A location in Ras Al Khaimah noted as an ideal spot for observing meteor showers in the UAE.

Grain of sand

A size comparison used to describe how small majority of meteors are compared to asteroids or comets.