Meteorike

Meteorike is a term that has been used, though not commonly in modern scientific discourse, to refer to the remains of a meteoroid that has survived passage through the Earth's atmosphere and landed on the surface. The more widely accepted scientific term for such an object is a meteorite. The distinction between meteoroid, meteor, and meteorite is important. A meteoroid is a rocky or metallic body in outer space. When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it becomes a meteor, often visible as a streak of light due to friction. If a portion of this object survives the fiery descent and impacts the ground, it is then classified as a meteorite. The term meteorike, while understandable in context, is largely superseded by meteorite in scientific literature. Studying meteorites provides invaluable insights into the composition of the early solar system, the history of planetary formation, and even the potential for extraterrestrial life. They are physical samples of celestial bodies that offer a window into cosmic processes. These objects can range in size from microscopic dust grains to massive boulders, and their composition can vary greatly, including stony, iron, and stony-iron varieties.