Scientists in heavy red coats and eye goggles photograph a meteorite in the snow.
Starry night with meteors streaking above the trees. The constellation Orion is visible
A meteor heads toward Earth as seen from the ISS

Meteors and Meteorites

Meteors, and meteorites are often called “shooting stars” - bright lights streaking across the sky. But we call the same objects by different names, depending on where they are located.

Get the Facts

METEORIDS

Small, rocky, and still in space

MeteoRs

In Earth's atmosphere

METEorites

Hit the ground

METEOR SHOWERS

Several meteors per hour

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From NASA