Braindrops from the Franklin Institute

"A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives an impact with the Earth's surface. When it enters the atmosphere, impact pressure causes the body to heat up and emit light, thus forming a fireball, also known as a meteor or shooting star."

See: Braindrops from the Franklin Institute for informative and fun facts about a variety of science related topics.

See also: Resources for Science Learning - activities and ideas for inspiring scientific curiosity at home, in school, or wherever you are. Find out about the Center for Innovation in Science Learning and its program offerings for learners and for educators.

Source: The Franklin Institute (Mission: In the spirit of inquiry and discovery embodied by Benjamin Franklin, the mission of The Franklin Institute is to inspire an understanding of and passion for science and technology learning.)