micrometeorite
Minuscule fallen space-particle
A micrometeorite is a tiny particle of extraterrestrial material—typically less than a millimeter across—that has survived passage through Earth's atmosphere and reached the surface.
Unlike larger meteorites that burn up or create dramatic fireballs, micrometeorites drift down slowly and can be found in roof gutters, Antarctic ice, and ocean sediments.
They constitute most of the cosmic material that falls to Earth.
Impact or volcanic basin
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- hypervelocityExtremely high speed
- pittingForming small cavities
- erosionGradual wearing away
spherule · tektite · breccia · shockwave · regolith · lunar · pockmark · bombardment
Small body in space
- interplanetaryBetween celestial bodies
- extraterrestrialBeing from outer space
- asteroidSun-orbiting rocky mass
- cometIcy orbiting body
stardust · celestial · interstellar · galactic · nebula
Meteorite containing round grains
- ironElement twenty-six
- nickelElement twenty-eight, or coin
- silicateOxygen-bound crystal compound
- mineralNaturally formed crystalline solid
olivine · pyroxene · stony · carbonaceous · metallic · isotope · spectroscopy · refractory
Less than one millimeter
- grainCereal plant's harvest unit
- speckMinute visible particle
- particleMinute piece of matter
- dustFine settled particles
minuscule · nanoscale · micron · pinpoint · fine · powder · mote · infinitesimal
Removal by cutting, melting
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- burnupComplete combustion destruction
- ionizationCharge acquisition process
- fireballLuminous meteor or explosion
streak · luminosity · incandescence · plasma · trajectory · velocity · heating · vaporization
Southern polar region
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- rooftopBuilding's top exterior surface
- collectorOne who gathers items
- samplingExtracting subset for study
stratosphere · aircraft · filter · magnetic · extraction · preservation · contamination · curation
Methodical study of parts
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
- datingPursuing romantic connections
- sampleSubset for study
identification · catalog · SEM · microprobe · NASA
crater
Impact or volcanic basin
- collisionForceful contact between objects
- hypervelocityExtremely high speed
- pittingForming small cavities
erosion · spherule · tektite · breccia · shockwave · regolith · lunar · pockmark · bombardment · ejecta
meteoroid
Small body in space
- interplanetaryBetween celestial bodies
- extraterrestrialBeing from outer space
- asteroidSun-orbiting rocky mass
comet · stardust · celestial · interstellar · galactic · nebula
chondrite
Meteorite containing round grains
mineral · olivine · pyroxene · stony · carbonaceous · metallic · isotope · spectroscopy · refractory · volatile
submillimeter
Less than one millimeter
dust · minuscule · nanoscale · micron · pinpoint · fine · powder · mote · infinitesimal · minute
ablation
Removal by cutting, melting
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- burnupComplete combustion destruction
- ionizationCharge acquisition process
fireball · streak · luminosity · incandescence · plasma · trajectory · velocity · heating · vaporization · deceleration
Antarctic
Southern polar region
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- rooftopBuilding's top exterior surface
- collectorOne who gathers items
sampling · stratosphere · aircraft · filter · magnetic · extraction · preservation · contamination · curation
analysis
Methodical study of parts
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
- datingPursuing romantic connections
sample · identification · catalog · SEM · microprobe · NASA
- meteor impactscraters, impact crater, impact craters, crater, bolides
- space safetycrew safety, life support, space suit, spacesuit, spacesuits
- space debrisspace junk, debris field, debris cloud, rocket stages, paint flakes
- projectilesbullet, bullets, arrow, rocket, rockets