How are meteors generally categorized based on their size and composition?

Meteors are categorized based on their size and composition into three distinct stages: meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites. This classification reflects the lifecycle of a small celestial body as it interacts with Earth's atmosphere.

Meteoroids are small rocky or metallic bodies in orbit around the Sun, typically ranging from the size of a grain of sand to a few meters across. When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere and begins to burn up due to friction with the air, it becomes a meteor, which is often referred to as a "shooting star." This bright streak of light is what observers see in the sky.

If a meteoroid survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on the Earth’s surface, it is then classified as a meteorite. Meteorites can vary in size and composition, offering valuable information about the building blocks of the solar system and the formation of celestial bodies.

This three-part categorization helps in understanding the characteristics and behaviors of these celestial objects, facilitating studies in astronomy and planetary science. Other options such as asteroids and comets, planets and moons, or stars and galaxies do not accurately represent the specific classification of meteors and miss the nuances related to their sizes and stages in the atmospheric entry process