SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-meteorite-hits-ground

When a space rock survives the trip down and lands on the ground, what is it called?

A meteorite.

Start playing free

  1. A meteor
  2. A meteoroid
  3. A meteorite ✔

Why: Most meteors burn up completely. If a piece survives the fall through the atmosphere and hits the ground, scientists call it a meteorite.

Huh, didn't know that: A NASA-backed team called ANSMET, the Antarctic Search for Meteorites, hunts for meteorites on the ice in Antarctica.

The dad joke
Why did the meteorite go to school? It wanted to make an impact.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: A meteorite. Most meteors burn up completely. If a piece survives the fall through the atmosphere and hits the ground, scientists call it a meteorite.

  1. NASA Science: Meteors and Meteorites science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites
    When a meteoroid survives a trip through the atmosphere and hits the ground, it's called a meteorite.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Flying & DronesOne astronomical unit (AU) is the average distance from what to what?Flying & DronesWhich way does a comet's tail point?Flying & DronesWhat is the main difference between an asteroid and a comet?

That's stuff everyone should know.