aerolite
Rock from space
An aerolite is a stony meteorite—one composed primarily of silicate minerals rather than iron.
The term distinguishes these from iron meteorites and stony-iron hybrids.
Aerolite is somewhat dated in scientific contexts, where *stony meteorite* or specific classifications like *chondrite* are now preferred, but it persists in older literature and general usage.
Small body in space
- bolideDetonating meteor, very bright
- fireballLuminous meteor or explosion
- stonyRocky or emotionless
- chondriteMeteorite containing round grains
fragment · specimen · fall · finder · olivine · pyroxene · peridot · tektite
Unbroken series
- fireballLuminous meteor or explosion
- luminousEmitting or reflecting light
- incandescentGlowing from heat
- trajectoryPath of moving object
descent · entry · burnup · airburst · atmosphere · friction · ablation · sonic boom
Rocky or emotionless
- ironElement twenty-six
- stony-ironMeteorite with both components
- chondriteMeteorite containing round grains
- silicateOxygen-bound crystal compound
olivine · pyroxene · feldspar · presolar grains · isotope · elemental · mineral · refractory
Individual for examination
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
- provenanceRecord of ownership
- museumPublic exhibit space
- curatorCollection overseer
auction · rare · pristine · weathered · slice · thin section · etching · display
Impact or volcanic basin
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- airburstExplosion in the atmosphere
- shockwavePropagating pressure disturbance
ejecta · breccia · extinction · cataclysm · devastation
meteoroid
Small body in space
chondrite · fragment · specimen · fall · finder · olivine · pyroxene · peridot · tektite · cosmic dust
streak
Unbroken series
- fireballLuminous meteor or explosion
- luminousEmitting or reflecting light
- incandescentGlowing from heat
trajectory · descent · entry · burnup · airburst · atmosphere · friction · ablation · sonic boom · witness
stony
Rocky or emotionless
- ironElement twenty-six
- stony-ironMeteorite with both components
- chondriteMeteorite containing round grains
silicate · olivine · pyroxene · feldspar · presolar grains · isotope · elemental · mineral · refractory
specimen
Individual for examination
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
- provenanceRecord of ownership
- museumPublic exhibit space
curator · auction · rare · pristine · weathered · slice · thin section · etching · display · labeled
crater
Impact or volcanic basin
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- airburstExplosion in the atmosphere
shockwave · ejecta · breccia · extinction · cataclysm · devastation