What is a meteor?

The concept of a meteor is best defined as a small streak of light produced when a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere at high speed, where it heats up and glows due to friction with the air. This process results in the bright, glowing trail that is commonly observed in the night sky, often described as a "shooting star."

Understanding this definition helps clarify why the other options do not accurately describe a meteor: a small icy body orbiting the Sun refers more to a comet, while a meteor that hits the Earth's surface is called a meteorite. A rocky body in the asteroid belt relates to asteroids, which are distinct from meteoroids and meteors. Therefore, the definition of a meteor is centered around its appearance and characteristics during atmospheric entry, which specifically aligns with the notion of a streak of light.