SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -Meteorites which have fallen recently may have a black “ash-like” crust on their surface. When a meteorite falls through the Earth’s atmosphere a very thin layer on the outer surface melts. This thin crust is called a fusion crust. It is often black and looks like an eggshell coating the rock.

Detailed explanation-2: -The best places to look for meteorites have little or no vegetation to camouflage them and few Earth rocks. That’s why glaciers, deserts, and rock-free plains are prime meteorite hunting grounds. More meteorites have been discovered in Antarctica than anywhere else on Earth.

Detailed explanation-3: -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-4: -Meteorites are space rocks that fall to Earth’s surface. Meteorites are the last stage in the existence of these type of space rocks. Before they were meteorites, the rocks were meteors.

Detailed explanation-5: -Meteors appear in different colors, depending on the chemical composition of the space rock and the air it is passing through. A meteor with high iron content, for instance, will appear yellow. A meteor with high calcium content may appear as a purple streak of light.