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:

1. Asteroid : A large rocky or metallic body in space (often located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter).

2. Meteoroid : Small fragment of an asteroid traveling through space.

3. Meteor (or shooting star): When this fragment enters the Earth's atmosphere and burns up due to friction.

4. Meteorite : If any part of the meteor reaches the ground, it becomes a meteorite.

🔍 Types of meteorites

1. Metallic (ferrous) : Composed mainly of iron and nickel.

2. Rocky (chondrites) : Made up of silicates; these are the most common.

3. Mixed (rock-metal) : Combination of minerals and metals.

🌍 Impact on Earth

• Small meteorites : Fall regularly, often harmlessly.

• Large meteorites : Can cause major damage, even mass extinctions (like that of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago).