What phenomenon occurs when a meteor survives its passage through the Earth’s atmosphere?

The phenomenon where a meteor survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere is known as a meteorite. When a meteoroid, which is a small rocky or metallic body in space, enters the atmosphere and produces a streak of light due to friction with air particles, it is called a meteor. If this meteoroid does not completely disintegrate and reaches the ground, it is referred to as a meteorite.

This process illustrates the distinction between the stages of these space rocks: meteoroids are in space, they become meteors when they enter the atmosphere, and if they survive to land on Earth, they are classified as meteorites. Understanding these terms is crucial in astronomy and planetary science as they help categorize different materials found in space and their interactions with Earth's atmosphere.