Fill in the gaps with the correct words. Two words are extra.
A meteoroid is a chunk of rock or metal from ... that falls through the atmosphere, or layer of gases, surrounding ... . Most meteoroids burn up in the atmosphere. This creates a bright streak of light called a meteor. Meteors are also called shooting ... . If a meteoroid survives its fall and reaches Earth’s surface, it is called a meteorite.
Almost all meteoroids are formed from material that breaks off objects in space called ... or asteroids. The chunk of rock or metal may enter Earth’s atmosphere travelling as fast as 45 miles \(72 kilometers\) per second. Most ... melt from the heat or break up from the pressure within seconds.
At times people can see thousands of ... per hour. These meteor showers often occur as Earth passes through the path of a comet. Bits of rock and ice left behind by the comet plunge through Earth’s atmosphere, creating meteors.