What is a meteoroid best described as?

A meteoroid is best described as a small chunk of rocky or metallic material traveling through space. This definition highlights that meteoroids are typically much smaller than asteroids and can vary in size from tiny grains to objects that are several meters across. They are often remnants from comets or asteroids and may enter the Earth's atmosphere, where they can produce a meteor, commonly known as a "shooting star." The material composition of meteoroids is crucial as it influences their behavior and fate upon entering the atmosphere, leading to phenomena such as meteor showers.

In contrast, other options either misrepresent the nature of a meteoroid or refer to different celestial categories. For instance, a chunk of gas is more representative of components found in stellar atmospheres or nebulae, while a large rocky body typically refers to asteroids or planets. A collection of ice and dust closely aligns with what is known as a comet, rather than a meteoroid. Therefore, the characteristics of meteoroids specifically underscore their solid, rocky, or metallic composition and their path through the cosmos.