Meteorites and Tektites
Meteorites and Tektites
A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon. When the original object enters the atmosphere it causes it to heat up and radiate energy. It then becomes a meteor and forms a fireball, also known as a shooting star. Once it settles on the larger body's surface, the meteor becomes a meteorite.Â
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Tektites (from Ancient Greek: ÏηÎșÏÏÏ tÄktĂłs, meaning 'molten') are gravel-sized bodies composed of black, green, brown or grey natural glass formed from terrestrial debris ejected during meteorite impacts.Â
