Meteorite

Meteorite

A Meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere to reach 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. It then becomes a meteor and forms a fireball, also known as a shooting star or falling star.

Formation and characteristics

Meteorites are formed when asteroids break apart, due to collisions with other asteroids, creating a meteoroid. A meteoroid that survives its journey through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on Earth is called a meteorite. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids.

Classification

Meteorites are classified into three broad types: stony meteorites, iron meteorites, and stony-iron meteorites. These classifications are based on their structure, chemical and isotopic composition and mineralogy. Stony meteorites are further divided into two other types: chondrites, and achondrites. Iron meteorites are largely composed of different alloys of iron and nickel. Stony-iron meteorites contain large amounts of both metallic and rocky material.

Impact

Meteorites have been found on every continent on Earth; including Antarctica. Meteorites have also been found on the Moon and Mars. They provide one of the primary sources for understanding the early solar system and the processes that led to the formation of planets.

See also

• Meteoroid
• Meteor
• Asteroid
• Comet
• Impact event

References

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