meteoriitteinä

Meteoriitteinä refers to meteorites in Finnish. Meteorites are solid pieces of debris from objects, such as comets, asteroids, or meteors, that originate in outer space and survive their passage through the Earth's atmosphere to reach the planet's surface. When these objects enter Earth's atmosphere, they are called meteors, and they are often seen as bright streaks of light, commonly known as shooting stars or fireballs. The vast majority of meteors disintegrate completely in the atmosphere, but those that reach the ground are classified as meteorites.

Meteorites are broadly categorized into three main types based on their composition: stony meteorites, iron meteorites, and stony-iron meteorites. Stony meteorites are the most common type, making up about 94% of all known meteorites. They are primarily composed of silicate minerals. Iron meteorites, which are less common, are mainly composed of iron-nickel alloys. Stony-iron meteorites are a mixture of both silicate minerals and iron-nickel alloys.

The study of meteorites, known as meteoritics, provides invaluable insights into the formation and early history of the solar system, as well as the composition of other celestial bodies. By analyzing meteorites, scientists can learn about the conditions present in the protoplanetary disk from which the planets formed, and they can also shed light on potential asteroid impact hazards. Some meteorites contain organic molecules, which are building blocks of life, further fueling scientific interest in their origins.