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.
流星体が地球の大気に突入すると、流星になります。
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.
あの隕石のもとは、火星と木星の間から来たんだって。
I heard that meteoroid came from between Mars and Jupiter.
Means 'microscopic celestial body'. Used in astronomy for very small objects, including meteoroids, but is broader and less common.
微小天体の観測には高性能の望遠鏡が必要です。
Observing meteoroids requires a high-performance telescope.
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.
流星体が燃え尽きずに地上に落ちると隕石と呼ばれます。
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.