What is a Meteor?

• A. A meteoroid that does not burn up in Earth's atmosphere
• B. A meteorite that hits Earth's surface
• C. A comet fragment
• D. A meteoroid that burns up in Earth's atmosphere

Answer: (D)

A meteor is the bright streak of light you see when a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere and heats up from air friction, glowing as it speeds through the sky. If it completely burns up, that light streak is a meteor. If any fragment survives and reaches the ground, that remaining piece is a meteorite. So the description of a meteoroid burning up in the atmosphere matches what a meteor is.