GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -When meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere (or that of another planet, like Mars) at high speed and burn up, the fireballs or “shooting stars” are called meteors. When a meteoroid survives a trip through the atmosphere and hits the ground, it’s called a meteorite.

Detailed explanation-2: -It is estimated that probably 500 meteorites reach the surface of the Earth each year, but less than 10 are recovered. This is because most fall into the ocean, land in remote areas of the Earth, land in places that are not easily accessible, or are just not seen to fall (fall during the day).

Detailed explanation-3: -Finding Meteorites Typically less than 5 percent of the original object will ever make it down to the ground. These meteorites, pieces of meteors that are found, typically range between the size of a pebble and a fist. Don’t expect to find meteorites after a meteor shower.

Detailed explanation-4: -A mixture of gases, solid rock, meteorite pieces, and rock melted by the explosion is thrown upward and outward. This leaves a hollow space in the ground called a transient crater. The compressed ground begins to rebound, or move back upward. The rock and pieces of meteorite fall back to the ground as piles of debris.