What is a meteorite?

A meteorite is a solid body from outer space that has fallen to the Earth's surface. A "fall" is a meteorite that was observed to fall and then collected. A "find" is a meteorite what was not observed to fall but that was recognized by distinct features. Most "shooting stars" that are observed in the night sky are actually pieces of dust rather than large objects. However, the biggest objects that fall to Earth may result in large craters, such as Barringer Meteor Crater, on the planet's surface.