Earhts Atmosphere

There are many reasons why earths atmosphere is different from others planets. First on the moon when a meteoroid hits whats there to stop it? Nothing, however this does not happen on earth because of our atmosphere. When something tries to penetrate the earth it almost intermediately bursts into flames because of all the friction that the atmosphere uses. However in some instants that meteoroid will penetrate and make a crater. It however won't be there long such as on the moon it might be there forever.