Hermes passed within 900,000 km in 1937. 1989 FC passed within 800,000 km of Earth. Larry Lebofsky discovered water on Ceres. The light is caused by friction heating the air molecules in Earth's atmosphere. The air molecules are put into an excited state and release that energy in the form of visible light as they relax to ground state.
Meteoroids break up into smaller and smaller pieces in Earth's gravity.
If a small piece makes it through our atmosphere, it is called a meteorite. Release their very high amount of kinetic energy in the form of damage, heat, noise. Create impact craters . 200 known impact craters on Earth. Explosion in Siberia June 30, 1908.