micrometeorn.
/ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmiːtɪə/, /ˌmʌɪkrə(ʊ)ˈmiːtɪɔː/, U.S. /ˌmaɪkroʊˈmidiər/ Astronomy.
= micrometeoroid n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > constellation > comet or meteor > meteor > [noun] > meteoroid > micro
micrometeor1936
micrometeoroid1954
1936 Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Tribune 20 Nov. 6/2 Dr. Watson made a special study of the rate of fall of what might be called micro-meters.
1957 Seattle Times 10 Nov. 16/5 Density of micro~meteors and meteoric dust, and the like.
1973 Times 16 May 1/1 The micrometeor shield was designed to protect the outer skin of the space station from minor damage but also played an important role in controlling Skylab's temperature.
1993 Science 9 July 185/3 The isotropic source mechanism (presumably Na released by micrometeor impact) is a relatively weak component.
Derivatives
micrometeˈoric adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > constellation > comet or meteor > meteor > [adjective] > meteoroid > micro
micrometeoric1958
micrometeoroidal1972
1958 Times 30 Aug. 6/1 It also carried recording instruments to register impacts of micro-meteoric particles.
1969 Meteorites 4 170 (title) Luster micrometeoric sampling during the 1966 Orionid meteor shower.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1936