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A meteorite is a rock that originated in outer space and has fallen to the surface of a planet or moon. When the original object enters the atmosphere, various factors such as friction, pressure, and chemical interactions with the atmospheric gases cause it to heat up and radiate energy.
Quick Facts. Meteoroids are space rocks that range in size from dust grains to small asteroids. When meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere, or that of another planet, at high speed and burn up, they’re called meteors. When you see lots if meteors, you’re watching a meteor shower.
Meteorite, any fairly small natural object from interplanetary space—i.e., a meteoroid—that survives its passage through Earth’s atmosphere and lands on the surface. In modern usage the term is broadly applied to similar objects that land on the surface of other comparatively large bodies.
Meteors, and meteorites are often called “shooting stars” - bright lights streaking across the sky. But we call the same objects by different names, depending on where they are located.
There are several different types of meteorites! Learn about them in this article by Geoffrey Notkin, meteorite hunter.
Meteorites are rocks from space, often from asteroids, Mars, or even the Moon. Join us on a journey through space and time, as we explore meteorites.
In simplest terms, a meteorite is a rock that falls to Earth from space. Meteorites are rocks, but they are not like Earth rocks. Most are far older, and they provide some of the only samples we have of other worlds – other planets, asteroids and possibly comets – in our solar system.
Meteorites. A meteorite is a fragment of spatial matter that falls to the surface of a planet. Most meteorites that fall to Earth come from the Asteroid Belt. Watch as a meteorite travels to Earth, causes an explosion, and creates an impact crater.
Meteorites have some distinguishing characteristics to help you identify them. You can use this list to guide you through them. Sometimes detailed chemical analyses need to be done, but since this takes time and money, you should look for the easy characteristics first.
Meteorites can and do hit the Earth anywhere and anytime. Learn more about meteorite locations, and where meteorites are found, here! How do we know whether a meteorite is a new, distinct meteorite or part of an older find?