What is the difference between a meteor and a meteorite? Are all meteorites composed of the same material? (A)

In this exercise, we will learn the difference between a meteor and a meteorite. Additionally, we will discuss the composition of meteorites.

A meteor is a celestial object that enters Earth's atmosphere and becomes visible to observers on Earth due to the heat generated by the friction between the object and the atmosphere. Meteors are often referred to as "shooting stars" or "falling stars" because they appear as brief streaks of light in the night sky.

A meteorite, on the other hand, is a meteor that survives its passage through Earth's atmosphere and eventually lands on Earth. They are typically composed of rock or metal and can range in size from a few millimeters to several meters across.

Some of the differences between a meteor and a meteorite are as follows: 1. Meteors are seen in the Earth's atmosphere, whereas meteorites are those found on the Earth's surface after they have survived their journey through the atmosphere. 2. A meteor is a phenomenon (a streak of light in the sky), while a meteorite is a physical object (a piece of space rock or metal). The similarities between meteors and meteorites are: 1. Both meteors and meteorites are celestial objects originating from space. 2. Both are potentially formed from the debris of comets, asteroids, or celestial collisions.

Meteorites are not all composed of the same material. There are three main types of meteorites, which are classified based on their composition and structure: 1. Stony meteorites: These are primarily made of silicate minerals and constitute about 94% of all meteorites. They are further classified into chondrites (containing tiny spherical grains called chondrules) and achondrites (lacking chondrules). 2. Iron meteorites: These consist primarily of metallic iron and nickel and make up about 5% of all meteorites. They usually exhibit distinctive crystalline patterns called Widmanstätten patterns. 3. Stony-iron meteorites: These meteorites are a mix of iron and silicate minerals, accounting for about 1% of all meteorites. They are subdivided into pallasites and mesosiderites, each differing in their proportions of metal and silicate components. In conclusion, the difference between a meteor and a meteorite lies in their respective positions as celestial objects in the Earth's atmosphere and on the Earth's surface. Although meteorites can vary in composition, they generally fall into three main categories: stony, iron, and stony-iron meteorites.