What are meteorites?

• A. Meteors in the atmosphere
• B. Meteoroids in space
• C. Fragments from asteroids that are still in space
• D. Meteors after landing on Earth

Answer: (D)

Meteorites are pieces of rock or metal that reach Earth's surface. In space, these fragments are called meteoroids. When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it creates a bright streak called a meteor. If any part of the fragment survives the fiery passage and lands on Earth, that surviving piece is a meteorite. So the key is the location: meteorites are the objects that have fallen to the ground. The bright streak in the sky is a meteor, and the object still in space is a meteoroid. Fragments still in space (not yet on the ground) are not meteorites.