Did You Know: Space – What would happen if a meteor hit the Earth?
Many pieces of space rock and dust enter the Earth’s atmosphere every day, but most burn up before they reach the surface.
Sometimes small pieces survive and hit the ground.
Very rarely, large rocks hit the Earth, and they can make big craters, such as Barringer Crater in Arizona.
Barringer Crater
Barringer Crater was named after Daniel Barringer. He was the first person to suggest that the crater was made by a meteorite that had hit the Earth.
Deep crater
This crater was made by a meteorite that crashed to Earth about 50,000 years ago. It is 560 ft (170 m) deep and 3,900 ft (1,200 m) wide.
Meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites
Meteoroids, meteors, and meteorites are practically the same thing-the only difference is their location.
A meteoroid is a piece of rock or metal that is moving through space. If it enters Earth’s atmosphere, it is then a meteor.
If it doesn’t burn up and lands on the Earth, it is then a meteorite.
How can you find a meteorite?
Choose your location
Meteorites are easiest to spot in places that have few earth rocks. These places are deserts, dry lake beds, or on the frozen continent of Antarctica.
Use a metal detector
Some meteorites are rocks that contain a lot of metal. This means that you can use a metal detector to help you find meteorites that might be buried underground.