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July 31, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Field Notes • Astronomy

Meteorite

A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from space that survives passage through an atmosphere and reaches the surface of a planet or moon.

Updated July 31, 20261 min readCited sources

A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from space that survives passage through an atmosphere and reaches the surface of a planet or moon. On Earth, meteorites are important scientific samples because they preserve material from the early Solar System.

What it is

A meteorite is the surviving remnant of a meteoroid that reaches the surface of a planet or moon. The glowing streak during atmospheric entry is called a meteor, and the source body in space is a meteoroid.

Types and origins

Meteorites are traditionally grouped into stony, iron, and stony-iron types. Most meteorites originate as fragments of asteroids, though a small number are believed to have come from the Moon or Mars.

Why it matters

They preserve ancient material from the early Solar System and are studied by Canadian researchers and museums, including the University of Waterloo, as part of Earth and planetary science education.

In short

  • Meteorites survive atmospheric entry and land on surfaces.
  • Common types are stony, iron, or stony-iron.
  • Many come from asteroids; some from the Moon or Mars.
  • They preserve ancient Solar System material.
Canadian angle

Meteorites are studied by Canadian researchers and museums, including the University of Waterloo and Canadian university collections, as part of Earth and planetary science education.

Quick questions

What is a meteorite?
A natural solid object from space that survives atmospheric entry and reaches a surface.
How is a meteorite different from a meteor?
A meteor is the bright streak produced during atmospheric entry; if the object survives and reaches the ground, it is a meteorite.
What are the main types of meteorites?
The main traditional types are stony, iron, and stony-iron meteorites.

Sources

  1. NASA — https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/
    Supports: Definition of meteorite as a meteoroid that survives atmospheric entry and hits the ground
  2. NASA ARES — https://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/meteorite-falls/what-are-meteorites/
    Supports: Origin, broad classification into stony/iron/stony-iron, and scientific significance
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/science/meteorite
    Supports: Definition and general characteristics of meteorites
  4. American Museum of Natural History — https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/meteorites/meteorites/what-is-a-meteorite
    Supports: Meteorites as ancient Solar System samples and likely asteroid origin
  5. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — https://naturalhistory.si.edu/education/teaching-resources/earth-science/meteorites-messengers-outer-space
    Supports: Meteorite definition, types, and scientific importance
  6. University of Waterloo — https://uwaterloo.ca/wat-on-earth/news/what-are-meteorites
    Supports: Meteorite characteristics, likely sources, and Canadian educational context