Meteorite Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Scientific Significance

• Meteorites can provide valuable information about the early solar system and the formation of planets.
• Some meteorites contain isotopes that can reveal the age of the solar system, which is estimated to be about 4.6 billion years old.
• Rare types of meteorites, such as carbonaceous chondrites, have shown that they contain the building blocks of life, including amino acids.

Impact on Earth

• The largest meteorite ever found on Earth is the Hoba meteorite in Namibia, which weighs about 66 tons.
• A meteorite impact near what is now the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is believed to have contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs around 66 million years ago.
• Meteorite impacts have played a significant role in shaping Earth's geology and may have even influenced climate changes and biological evolution.

Culture and Folklore

• Many cultures have myths and legends surrounding meteorites, often viewing them as omens or messages from the gods.
• In ancient Egypt, some meteorites were used to create important artifacts, as they were considered sacred stones.
• The famous 'Chelyabinsk meteor' that exploded over Russia in 2013 was captured on multiple cameras and became a viral sensation on social media.

Collecting and Study

• Meteorite hunting has become a popular hobby, with some collectors willing to pay thousands of dollars for rare specimens.
• Institutions like the Natural History Museum in London and The Field Museum in Chicago have extensive meteorite collections for public viewing.
• Meteorites are classified into categories like stony, iron, and stony-iron based on their composition and characteristics.

Main points about word origin

• The word 'meteorite' comes from the Greek word 'meteoros,' meaning 'high in the air,' and the suffix 'ite,' which is often used for minerals.
• Before we had the term 'meteorite,' these objects were simply called 'falling stars' or 'shooting stars.'
• The distinction between 'meteor' and 'meteorite' was made clearer in the 19th century as scientists studied these objects more closely.

The word 'meteorite' has its origins in the late 19th century, derived from the Greek word 'meteōritēs', meaning 'high in the air'. The prefix 'meteor' itself comes from the Greek 'meteōron', which refers to anything that occurs in the sky or atmosphere. Prior to the adoption of the term 'meteorite', objects that fell from the sky were often associated with omens or divine messages. With the growth of modern science and a better understanding of atmospheric phenomena, the term 'meteorite' began to be standardized in the scientific community to refer specifically to those meteoroids that reached the Earth’s surface. As space exploration progressed, meteorites have been categorized and studied in detail, giving insights into the early solar system and the materials that formed the planets.

Positioned at #21,335, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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• 21332 watchfulness
• 21333 sadistic
• 21334 sired
• 21335 meteorite
• 21336 samurai
• 21337 faultless
• 21338 upholstered
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