Asteroids and meteors are both objects that orbit the sun, but there are some key differences between the two. Asteroids are much larger than meteors and are made of rock and metal, while meteors are made of small particles of rock and dust. Asteroids are typically found in the asteroid belt, which lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, while meteors can be found anywhere in the solar system.

Asteroids can be up to several hundred miles in diameter, while meteors are usually only a few feet across. Asteroids have irregular shapes and are often covered in craters, while meteors are usually smooth and spherical. Asteroids orbit the sun in a regular path, while meteors can have very eccentric orbits.

When an asteroid or meteor collides with Earth's atmosphere, it can cause a number of different effects. Small meteors will often burn up in the atmosphere and never reach the ground. Larger meteors can reach the ground, but they will usually disintegrate upon impact. Asteroids that are large enough can cause significant damage when they impact Earth.

Asteroid impacts have been responsible for some of the most devastating events in Earth's history, such as the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Meteor impacts are less common, but they can also cause significant damage. In 1908, a meteor exploded over Tunguska, Russia, and leveled an area of hundreds of square miles.

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between asteroids and meteors:

| Characteristics | Asteroid | Meteor |

|:--------------------: |:---------------------: |:----------------------: |

| Size | Up to several hundred miles | A few feet across |

| Composition | Rock and metal | Small particles of rock and dust |

| Location | Asteroid belt | Anywhere in the solar system |

| Shape | Irregular, covered in craters | Smooth, spherical |

| Orbit | Regular path | Eccentric orbits |

| Effect when colliding | Can cause devastating damage | Can cause significant damage |