What is the difference between asteroids, comets, meteors and meteorites ?

I often get confused.

In short,

Asteroid: any of the small rocky celestial bodies found especially between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter

Comets: A celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun

Meteors: A small body of matter from outer space that enters the earth's atmosphere, becoming incandescent as a result of friction and appearing as a streak of light

Meteorites: A meteor that survives its passage through the earth's atmosphere such that part of it strikes the ground. More than 90 percent of meteorites are of rock, while the remainder consist wholly or partly of iron and nickel


 

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