What can be described as "shooting stars" that streak across the sky in a brief flash of light? (1 |
• meteors
• meteorites
• meteoroids
• comets
Meteors
"Shooting stars" that streak across the sky in a brief flash of light are typically described as meteors (option 1).
The correct term for "shooting stars" that streak across the sky in a brief flash of light is meteors.
To verify this answer, we can break down the options and explain their differences:
1. Meteors: These are small celestial objects, commonly called shooting stars, that burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere. They generate a bright streak of light as they travel through the atmosphere, but they rarely survive to hit the ground.
2. Meteorites: Meteorites are meteors that survive their journey through the atmosphere and reach the Earth's surface. They can be studied to gain insights into the composition of celestial bodies.
3. Meteoroids: These are the parent bodies of meteors. Meteoroids are smaller objects that exist in space, ranging from tiny particles to chunks of rock or metal. When they enter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up, they become meteors.
4. Comets: Comets are icy bodies that originate from the outer regions of the solar system. When a comet gets closer to the Sun, the heat causes it to release gas and form a glowing coma and a tail, which can create a spectacular display in the night sky. However, comets are different from shooting stars (meteors) as they are much larger and have a distinct appearance.
Therefore, the term "shooting stars" that streak across the sky in a brief flash of light is properly described as meteors.