Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Meteorites are pieces of rock or metal from space that have survived their journey through Earth's atmosphere and landed on our planet's surface.
Related terms
Meteoroid: A small particle from a comet or asteroid orbiting the sun. It becomes a meteorite if it survives its passage through Earth’s atmosphere and lands on Earth’s surface.
Meteor Shower: An event where many meteors enter Earth's atmosphere in a short period, often resulting from Earth passing through debris left by a comet.
Asteroid Belt: The region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids in our solar system are found.