Meteorite - Wikipedia
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.
Meteorite | Definition, Types, Identification, & Facts | Britannica
Nov 27, 2024 · 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.
I think I found a meteorite. How can I tell for sure?
Meteorites are fragments of rock or metal that fall to Earth from space. They are very rare, but many people find unusual rocks or pieces of metal and wonder if they might have found a meteorite.
Meteors and Meteorites - NASA Science
Scientists estimate that about 48.5 tons (44 tonnes or 44,000 kilograms) of meteoritic material falls on Earth each day. Almost all the material is vaporized in Earth's atmosphere, leaving a bright trail fondly called "shooting stars." Several meteors per …
Meteorite Identification: Have you found a space rock? - Geology.com
Identification of a genuine meteorite takes a practiced eye, but there are a number of simple tests that can help hopeful rock hounds determine if they have stumbled across a rare space rock, or just a common earthbound stone. Meteorites tend to look different from the ordinary terrestrial rocks around them.
Meteors & Meteorites Facts - Science@NASA
When a meteoroid survives its trip through the atmosphere and hits the ground, it’s called a meteorite. Meteorites typically range between the size of a pebble and a fist. Most space rocks smaller than a football field will break apart in Earth’s atmosphere.
Meteorites and Craters - NASA
Mar 8, 2016 · Do you think you might have found a meteorite? We’ll be happy to help you - scroll down for more information and a worksheet before you contact us. • How do we know it’s a meteorite from Mars anyway? • How do we know it’s a meteorite from the Moon anyway? • Where are impact craters on the Earth? Check out the Earth Impact Database.
What Are Meteorites? | Space
Dec 5, 2018 · A meteorite is the term given to a piece of a comet or asteroid that falls into the Earth’s atmosphere and survives to hit the surface. These objects come in three easy-to-remember categories ...
Meteorite - Chondrites, Achondrites, Iron-Nickel | Britannica
Nov 27, 2024 · Meteorite - Chondrites, Achondrites, Iron-Nickel: Meteorites traditionally have been divided into three broad categories—stony meteorites (or stones), iron meteorites (irons), and stony iron meteorites (stony irons)—on the basis of the proportions of rock-forming minerals and nickel-iron (also called iron-nickel) metal alloy they contain.
Meteorite - National Geographic Society
Apr 4, 2024 · More than 60,000 meteorites have been found on Earth. Scientists have divided these meteorites into three main types: stony, iron, and stony-iron. Each of these types has many sub-groups. Stony Meteorites. Stony meteorites are made up of minerals that contain silicates —material made of silicon and oxygen.