Meteorit
In short
A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as an asteroid or comet, that survives its passage through the atmosphere and hits the ground.
In plain words
Space rocks often burn up when they enter Earth's air. If a piece is tough enough to reach the surface without melting completely, it is called a meteorite.
A simple example
A small, charred stone found in a desert field after a bright flash in the night sky is often a meteorite.
Why it matters
Studying these rocks helps scientists understand how our solar system formed. They carry chemical clues from the very beginning of space history.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse a meteorite with a meteor, which is just the streak of light seen in the sky.