A meteorite is
A)a small comet
B)a large meteoroid
C)a meteoroid that has entered the Earth's atmosphere
D)a meteoroid, asteroid, or comet that strikes the Earth's surface

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A meteorite is defined as a meteoroid, asteroid, or comet that has collided with the Earth's surface. It is important to note that before it strikes the Earth's surface, it is referred to as a meteoroid, and when it enters the Earth's atmosphere, it is referred to as a meteor. Therefore, options A and B are incorrect as they do not accurately describe a meteorite. Option C is partly correct as it describes a meteor, but not a meteorite which is the specific object that has collided with the Earth's surface.

A Meteorite Is