Meteorites have traditionally been divided into three broad categories: stony meteorites that are rocks, mainly composed of silicate minerals; iron meteorites that are largely composed of …

Feb 14, 2025 · 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. …

Oct 31, 2025 · 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. …

Although there are a large number of sub classes, meteorites are divided into three main groups: irons, stones and stony-irons.

To tell if a rock is a meteorite, start by examining its physical features and characteristics. Many meteorites are magnetic due to their iron-nickel content, but there are non-magnetic …

Apr 4, 2024 · Meteorites crash through the atmospheres of all planets and moons in our solar system. Some planets and moons don't have enough atmosphere to break apart meteors, …

3.1 Meteorites: Fossils from the Sky Any fragment of interplanetary debris that survives its fiery plunge through Earth’s atmosphere is called a meteorite. Unlike rocks collected by astronauts …

Learn more about meteorite locations, and where meteorites are found, here! How do we know whether a meteorite is a new, distinct meteorite or part of an older find? Detailed microscopic, …

There are over 40 types of meteorites, but we can divide them into a few main categories. Learn about types of meteorite.

Jul 31, 2025 · Meteorites are precious rock samples preserving material from the birth of the Solar System 4.6 billion years ago. Some are actual pieces of the original matter from which the …