Rammeteori

Rammeteori is a term used in astronomy to describe a type of meteoroid that strikes the Earth with enough force and velocity to create a significant impact crater. These are not to be confused with typical meteors, which often burn up completely in the atmosphere. A rammeteori, by definition, survives atmospheric entry and impacts the surface. The term itself is a combination of "ram" indicating a forceful impact and "meteor" referring to the celestial body.

The distinction between a rammeteori and a meteorite is subtle but important. While a meteorite is simply any extraterrestrial object found on Earth's surface, a rammeteori specifically refers to the object *during the process of impact*, emphasizing the violent nature of its arrival. The impact energy of a rammeteori can range from minor, creating small depressions, to immense, capable of forming large craters that drastically alter the landscape. The composition of a rammeteori can vary, including rocky, metallic, or stony-iron materials, similar to other meteorites. Studying these impact events provides valuable insights into the composition of other celestial bodies and the history of impacts in our solar system. The rarity of observing a rammeteori impact directly means much of our understanding comes from analyzing impact craters and the resulting ejecta.