Meteorite

A meteorite is a small extraterrestrial body that reaches the Earth's surface. While in space these bodies are called meteoroids, and they are called meteors after entering Earth's atmosphere but before reaching the surface. These are small asteroids, approximately boulder-sized or less. When it enters the atmosphere, air drag and friction cause the body to heat up and emit light, thus forming a fireball or shooting star.

Related Topics:
Earth - Meteoroid - Meteor - Asteroid - Boulder - Fireball - Shooting star

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More generally, a meteorite on a celestial body is a small body that has come from elsewhere in space.

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