micrometeoroid
Americannoun
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An extremely small meteoroid, typically the size of a grain of dust. Particles measuring less than 0.05 mm (0.002 inch) in diameter are classed as micrometeoroids. Despite their small size, their high velocities mean that micrometeoroids pose a significant threat to spacecraft and artificial satellites.
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◆ A micrometeoroid that reaches the surface of the Earth, the Moon, or another celestial body is called a micrometeorite. The tiny size of micrometeoroids allows them to radiate away the heat generated by friction with the atmosphere, with the result that the proportion of micrometeoroids becoming micrometeorites is greater than the proportion of meteoroids becoming meteorites.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Samples reveal evidence of changes experienced by the surface of asteroid Ryugu, some probably due to micrometeoroid bombardment.
From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2024
One is that micrometeoroid dust pollutes and darkens the rings’ pristine water ice.
From Scientific American • May 19, 2023
The spacecraft’s mission is to provide a trip home for a trio of Russian and American astronauts whose original ride was damaged during what was probably a micrometeoroid strike in December.
From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2023
Borisov said Wednesday that the analysis confirmed the leak was caused by a micrometeoroid.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 11, 2023
Four previous micrometeoroid strikes to the mirror were smaller.
From Washington Times • Jul. 11, 2022
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
