An asteroid impact occurs when a space rock, known as an asteroid, collides with a planet or moon. These objects can vary in size, from small boulders to massive bodies several kilometers wide. When they enter a planet's atmosphere, they can create bright streaks of light, known as meteors, before crashing to the surface. The consequences of an asteroid impact can be significant, depending on the size and speed of the asteroid. Large impacts can cause massive explosions, create craters, and lead to environmental changes, such as wildfires and tsunamis. In extreme cases, they can even contribute to mass extinction events, like the one that affected the dinosaurs.