Collection:
Meteorite
🌠 What is a meteorite?
A meteorite is a fragment of rock or metal from space that has survived entry into Earth's atmosphere and reached the ground. Typical stages include:
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Asteroid : A large rocky or metallic body in space (often located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter).
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Meteoroid : Small fragment of an asteroid traveling through space.
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Meteor (or shooting star): When this fragment enters the Earth's atmosphere and burns up due to friction.
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Meteorite : If any part of the meteor reaches the ground, it becomes a meteorite.
🔍 Types of meteorites
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Metallic (ferrous) : Composed mainly of iron and nickel.
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Rocky (chondrites) : Made up of silicates; these are the most common.
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Mixed (rock-metal) : Combination of minerals and metals.
🌍 Impact on Earth
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Small meteorites : Fall regularly, often harmlessly.
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Large meteorites : Can cause major damage, even mass extinctions (like that of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago).
