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There are eight or nine known meteor showers each year, and astronomers occasionally "discover" new ones - like the one that MIGHT, MAYBE, PERHAPS happen tonight (May 24, 2014).
Meteor "showers" happen when the Earth passes through, or near, the orbits of old comets. When the comet comes near the Sun, the Sun's light and heat cause the icy head of the comet to vaporize a little. The gas, spreading out from the frozen head of the comet, carries away some of the dust. A comet is similar to a "dirty snowball"; the dust is blown away from the comet, which forms the "tail" of the comet.
Pass after pass, the dust spreads out to eventually fill the entire orbital path of the comet. Eventually, the comet will disintegrate completely, and the dust trail will be the only thing left.
But if the orbital trail comes close to the Earth's orbital path, then every year the Earth will pass through the trail, and we'll have a "shower" of meteors. Most meteors are caused by stuff the size of a grain of sand, and perhaps as big as a grain of rice, so we're in no danger from them.
The Earth moves in the direction of sunrise; the sunrise is "front" and the sunset line is "behind", so you'll see more and better meteors between about 2AM and dawn.
What else can I help you with?
Is it true that only three or four meteorites reach earths surface each year?
No it is not true. Many, many meteorites reach the earth's surface.
Why are only a few of the meteorites that land on earth each year found?
Only a few meteorites that land on Earth each year are found due to several factors. First, many meteorites land in remote or uninhabited areas, making them difficult to discover. Additionally, smaller meteorites may burn up in the atmosphere or be mistaken for terrestrial rocks. Lastly, the vastness of the Earth's surface means that even when meteorites fall, the chances of human detection are relatively low.
How many basketball-sized meteorites land on earth in a year?
Probably many thousand such meteoroids strike the Earth's atmosphere per year, but only a tiny percentage make it through the atmosphere to land on the Earth. And since the Earth is 3/4 water, we figure that about 75% of all meteorites hit the ocean and sink.
Is The composition of Earth's core is thought to be the same as the composition of many meteorites?
Yes, this is because many meteorites derive from bodies that formed and differentiated (like the Earth) early on in the formation of the solar system but were then shattered by impacts, exposing their core material. This material is thought to be an analogue for the composition of Earth's interior.
The earth is estimated to be how many years old?
8.7 million species give or take roughly 2 million estimate does not include bacteria
Is it true that only three or four meteorites reach earths surface each year?
No it is not true. Many, many meteorites reach the earth's surface.
How many meteorites have miss the earth from crashing?
500 meteorites have missed the earth from crashing
How many years as earth existed for?
Earth is estimated to be around 4.5 billion years old. This age is determined through radiometric dating of rocks and meteorites.
Why are only a few of the meteorites that land on earth each year found?
Only a few meteorites that land on Earth each year are found due to several factors. First, many meteorites land in remote or uninhabited areas, making them difficult to discover. Additionally, smaller meteorites may burn up in the atmosphere or be mistaken for terrestrial rocks. Lastly, the vastness of the Earth's surface means that even when meteorites fall, the chances of human detection are relatively low.
Meteorites are thought to be analogous in composition to Earth's core?
While some meteorites may contain iron and nickel like Earth's core, they are not fully analogous in composition. Meteorites also contain a variety of other materials such as silicates, oxides, and other minerals that are not found in Earth's core.
How many basketball-sized meteorites land on earth in a year?
Probably many thousand such meteoroids strike the Earth's atmosphere per year, but only a tiny percentage make it through the atmosphere to land on the Earth. And since the Earth is 3/4 water, we figure that about 75% of all meteorites hit the ocean and sink.
Why do you think the Earth does not have as many meteorites as the moon?
because it caused crater
What are the effects of meteorites on the earth positively?
The best positive effect is that we get many metals from meteorites and some non metals. We specially get iron mostly.
Is The composition of Earth's core is thought to be the same as the composition of many meteorites?
Yes, this is because many meteorites derive from bodies that formed and differentiated (like the Earth) early on in the formation of the solar system but were then shattered by impacts, exposing their core material. This material is thought to be an analogue for the composition of Earth's interior.
For how long has the Earth been in existence?
According to the scientific consensus Earth has been in existence for approximately 4.5 billion years. This is in contradiction with the view many religious people have. They hold the view that Earth is around 6000 years old.
What is the location of a meteorite?
Meteorites are meteors that fell to Earth. Therefore, all "meteorites" are on Earth someplace. Many of them are in museums, but some are available for purchase. And of course, there are still a great number of them laying all over the ground, if you could recognize them.
Why are the craters on the moon all perfectly circular?
It can not be because the moon has no atmosphere or gravity....in fact many craters would then have a parabolical shape because all meteorites can not impact with the moon at an exact vertical angle. So why can it be? It is because the theories of the moon being part of a very young earth is simply not true. Earth with it's much stronger gravitational pull should attract far more meteorites away from the moon, had this been the case. Also, the moon, being so close to earth, is protected by the earth from meteorite strikes directly in line with the earth. Earth's gravity would not allow meteorites to hit the moon directly behind it. Missing earth, the meteorites will definitely not impact with the moon directly behind earth. Many craters are on the side of the moon facing earth, so how did these meteorites get past earth to stirke the moon exactly face on? Remember that the moon is in terms of the universe, very close to earth therefore earth is shielding the moon against many many meteorite strikes from directly behind earth itself. Sorry, but I can not answer this question!
