Which celestial objects primarily enter the Earth's atmosphere?

Meteorites primarily enter the Earth's atmosphere. When a meteoroid, which is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space, enters the Earth's atmosphere, it generates a bright trail of light known as a meteor. If it survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface, it is then classified as a meteorite. This is the key reason why the correct answer is focused on meteorites, as they are the remnants of meteoroids that reach the Earth after enduring the intense heat and pressure of atmospheric entry.

While comets, asteroids, and planets are all significant celestial bodies, they do not typically enter our atmosphere in the same way. Comets are composed mostly of ice and dust and usually form a glowing coma and tail as they approach the sun, but they rarely make it to Earth's surface as meteorites do. Asteroids, while they orbit the sun and can enter the atmosphere, are less likely to reach the surface than meteoroids that are identified as meteorites. Planets, on the other hand, are massive celestial bodies themselves and do not enter or pass through the Earth's atmosphere. Thus, the focus on meteorites emphasizes the specific relationship between meteoroids and their impact on Earth.