Translation guide
A small rocky or metallic body in outer space, smaller than an asteroid. When it enters Earth's atmosphere, it becomes a meteor (shooting star). If it survives to hit the ground, it's a meteorite.
A small particle or rock moving through space, before entering an atmosphere.
The standard astronomical term for a meteoroid. Used in scientific contexts.
When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it becomes a meteor.
Literally 'source of a meteorite'. A more descriptive, less technical way to refer to a meteoroid, emphasizing its potential to become a meteorite.
Means 'microscopic celestial body'. Used in astronomy for very small objects, including meteoroids, but is broader and less common.
In Japanese, as in English, there is a clear distinction: 流星体 (meteoroid) is the object in space; 流星 (meteor) is the light phenomenon when it enters the atmosphere; 隕石 (meteorite) is the object that reaches the ground. Using the wrong term can cause confusion.
I heard that meteoroid came from between Mars and Jupiter.
Observing meteoroids requires a high-performance telescope.
If a meteoroid doesn't burn up and falls to the ground, it's called a meteorite.
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers rarely use 流星体. They might simply say 流れ星のもと (source of a shooting star) or describe it as 宇宙の小さな石 (small space rock). For most non-scientific contexts, it's better to use descriptive phrases.