Meteorite
Meteorite
A Meteorite (/miːˈtiː.ə.raɪt/) 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 atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon.
Etymology
The term "Meteorite" comes from the Greek word Meteoron, meaning 'phenomenon in the sky'. It is used to describe the streak of light produced as matter in the solar system falls into Earth's atmosphere creating temporary incandescence resulting from atmospheric friction.
Types of Meteorites
Meteorites are classified into three broad types: stony meteorites, iron meteorites, and stony-iron meteorites. These groups are further divided into more specific categories.
- Stony meteorites are rocks mainly composed of silicate minerals.
- Iron meteorites are largely composed of metallic iron-nickel.
- Stony-iron meteorites contain large amounts of both metallic and rocky material.
Related Terms
- Meteoroid - A small particle from a comet or asteroid orbiting the sun.
- Meteor - The streak of light caused by a meteoroid or asteroid as it enters the Earth's atmosphere.
- Asteroid - A rocky, airless remnant left over from the early formation of our solar system.
- Comet - A celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and, when near the sun, a “tail” of gas and dust particles pointing away from the sun.
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