A meteorite is a solid fragment of a meteoroid that survives its passage through Earth’s atmosphere and lands on the surface of the planet. Meteoroids are smaller particles from space, and when they enter the atmosphere, they produce a bright streak of light known as a meteor or “shooting star.” If a portion of the meteoroid survives the intense heat and pressure during atmospheric entry and reaches the ground, it is classified as a meteorite.

• • Composition: Meteorites can be composed of various materials, including metal (iron or nickel-iron alloys), rock, or a combination of both. They are generally classified into three main types:
    • • Stony Meteorites: Composed primarily of silicate minerals, resembling terrestrial rocks. These are further divided into chondrites (containing chondrules, or round grains) and achondrites (lacking chondrules).
      • Iron Meteorites: Composed mainly of metallic iron and nickel, often with a distinctive crystalline pattern called Widmanstätten patterns.
      • Stony-Iron Meteorites: Contain a mixture of silicate minerals and metallic elements, featuring both rocky and metallic components.
  • Size and Appearance: Meteorites can range in size from tiny grains to large masses weighing several tons. Their appearance can vary depending on their composition and the extent of atmospheric ablation they experienced.
  • Classification: Meteorites are classified based on their mineral composition, structure, and isotopic properties, which help scientists understand their origin and history.
  • Scientific Value: Meteorites are valuable to scientists because they provide insights into the early solar system, the formation of planetary bodies, and the processes occurring in space. They can contain clues about the conditions in the early solar system and the materials that formed the planets.

Definition

• • Meteoroid: The small space rock or particle before entering the atmosphere.
  • Meteor: The bright streak produced as the meteoroid burns up in the atmosphere.
  • Meteorite: The surviving fragment that lands on the Earth’s surface after the atmospheric entry.