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A meteor is a piece of rock broken off from space, such as fragments resulting from an asteroid impact, that enters the atmosphere of Earth. These objects are usually seen at night as they trail fast across the sky and are commonly known as “shooting stars.”
The term meteor is referred to as a meteorite when it impacts the ground, instead of disintegrating in the atmosphere; meteors and meteorites represent the same objects, differing only in their respective stages during their travels. Each year, numerous meteorites – typically composed of iron and nickel, silicate components, or a combination thereof – do strike Earth. A larger quantity collides with Earth’s atmosphere, but they do not reach the surface; only the most resilient can endure the journey. While incidents of meteorites injuring individuals are quite uncommon, such occurrences are still possible.
Interestingly, Earth is not the sole target of meteorites. An astronomer has even recorded footage of one striking the moon.
What factors influence whether a meteor reaches Earth?
