A meteorite is a chunk of rock or iron usually from a meteoroid or asteroid which pass through Earth's atmosphere and survives impact with the ground. Most meteorites originate from larger asteroid bodies residing in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Collisions and gravitational... moreA meteorite is a chunk of rock or iron usually from a meteoroid or asteroid which pass through Earth's atmosphere and survives impact with the ground. Most meteorites originate from larger asteroid bodies residing in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Collisions and gravitational interactions send these pieces of asteroids into the inner solar system where the Earth travels. Our planet collides with thousands of small pieces of this material everyday. Some of these are the sporadic brighter shooting stars and fireballs that can be seen any night. Several larger pieces are believed to collide with the Earth everyday. This is the type of event that produces meteorites that may later be found on the ground. less