What's the short version?

An asteroid is a rocky body in space; a meteor is the flash of light when a small object burns through the atmosphere; a comet is an icy body that grows a tail as it approaches the Sun.

Is a meteor the same as a meteorite?

No. A meteoroid is the small object in space; a meteor is the streak of light in the sky; a meteorite is what actually reaches the ground.

Can a comet become an asteroid?

In a sense, yes — once a comet exhausts its volatile ices, what's left behind can look and behave much like an asteroid.

Asteroid vs. Meteor vs. Comet: The Difference

4 min read

Three words that get used interchangeably in headlines — and shouldn't be.

Frequently asked questions

What's the short version?: An asteroid is a rocky body in space; a meteor is the flash of light when a small object burns through the atmosphere; a comet is an icy body that grows a tail as it approaches the Sun.
Is a meteor the same as a meteorite?: No. A meteoroid is the small object in space; a meteor is the streak of light in the sky; a meteorite is what actually reaches the ground.
Can a comet become an asteroid?: In a sense, yes — once a comet exhausts its volatile ices, what's left behind can look and behave much like an asteroid.