In simplest terms, a meteorite is a rock that falls to Earth from space. Meteorites are rocks, but they are not like Earth rocks. Most are far older, and they provide some of the only samples we have of other worlds – other planets, asteroids and possibly comets – in our solar system.
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. In modern usage the term is broadly applied to similar objects that land on the surface of other comparatively large bodies.
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 meteorites as well, making pictures of these invaluable for identification.
Stone meteorite with fusion crust: This 307.1-gram stone meteorite fell as part of a shower on in Mauretania. It is an ordinary chondrite (H5) and an excellent example of a complete fusion crusted stone. This specimen was picked up immediately after the fall.
More than 60,000 meteorites have been found on Earth. Scientists have divided these meteorites into three main types: stony, iron, and stony-iron. Each of these types has many sub-groups. Stony Meteorites. —material made of silicon and oxygen. They also contain some metal— and iron.
The first clear meteorite evidence came in 1959, when scientists were able to photograph an incoming meteorite with enough accuracy to calculate its orbit and determine where it originated. Since then, many other meteorites have been traced back to the asteroid belt as well.