Although it may be obvious to some, there’s confusion at times as to what defines someone as a meteorologist.

One week ago, a loud boom was heard across portions of Central New York. There were reports of a fireball being sighted in parts of Canada, Pennsylvania, even as far south as Washington D.C. 

As a result, many calls were made to the National Weather Service office in Binghamton, New York. However, meteorologists don’t study meteors (even though it’s in the name).

They had to explain to callers that they were not qualified to speak scientifically on the matter.

The American Meteorological Society defines meteorology as “the study of physics, chemistry, and dynamics of the earth’s atmosphere, including related effects at the air-earth boundary over both land and the oceans".

Accordingly, a meteorologist is defined as “an individual with specialized education who uses scientific principles to explain, understand, observe or forecast the earth's atmospheric phenomena and/or how the atmosphere affects the earth and life on the planet".

So meteorologists focus their scientific studies on what happens in confines on the earth’s atmosphere. This would exclude meteors, such as the one from last week, as they come from outer space. 

Then why is meteor in the word meteorologist? Great question, thanks for asking!

An object that falls from the sky is defined as a meteor. Meteorologists focus on “hydrometeors” such as rain, hail or snow, because they develop in our atmosphere.

Astronomers, like the many who work at NASA, are those who are focused on meteors and all other happenings in the universe outside of earth. Information can be always found on the website of the American Meteor Society.

Hopefully that explains the difference between the study of meteors outside of earth's atmosphere and meteorology.