Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Space Science

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Space Science 1. Galaxy vs. Universe Let's start with a classic confusion: galaxy and universe. While they may seem interchangeable, they actually refer to different things. A galaxy is a vast system of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies, held together by gravity. On the other hand, the universe encompasses everything - all the galaxies, stars, planets, and even the space between them. So, while a galaxy is a part of the universe, the universe is much larger, almost unimaginably so. 2. Asteroid vs. Meteoroid vs. Meteor vs. Meteorite Next up, we have a quartet of terms: asteroid, meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite. These words often get muddled up, but they have distinct meanings. An asteroid is a rocky object that orbits the Sun, usually found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. When an asteroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it becomes a meteoroid.