The term “meteor” refers to the fiery aerial display created by a falling meteoroid or asteroid. Meteors are called fireballs if they shine brighter than the planets in the night sky (magnitude -4), and bolides if the blast is even brighter (around magnitude -14).
So what’s the difference between a Meteor and an Asteroid?
When the rock is no wider than a meter (3.3 feet), it’s known as a meteoroid
1- to 10-meter range, the term “asteroid” applies
When pieces of the meteoroid (or asteroid) survive their fiery fall through the atmosphere and hit the surface, those pieces are called meteorites
Notes from Meteor vs. asteroid? Terms get tangled when describing space rocks
