"A near earth object is any small solar system body whose orbit comes within close proximity to Earth. Asteroids, for instance, are technically rocky bodies orbiting the sun. Most of them are found in the asteroid belt, which is located between Mars and Jupiter. When smaller asteroid pieces break off, they are called meteoroids. However, when a meteoroid enters the atmosphere, it turns into a meteor or a shooting star.
The thought of a meteor striking the planet is such a scary concept because there is a lot we still don't know about our solar system. Like sci-fi movies suggest, a meteor could cause severe destruction to our ecosystem – or bring alien life with it. It could cause complete chaos or the end of life on Earth altogether."
