Hello avid learners! Today, let’s take an enthralling journey through space, focusing on meteorites, their collisions, and the wondrous phenomena they create in our night sky. You’ll also learn some captivating vocabulary along the way!

Meteorites: The Space Rocks

Meteorites are pieces of rock or metal that have fallen to Earth’s surface from outer space. These space rocks are remnants from the early solar system and can tell us a lot about the universe. Not only scientists but also history enthusiasts find meteorites fascinating, as some religious artifacts are believed to contain meteorite fragments.

Meteor Showers: A Stargazer’s Delight

Avid stargazers are often treated to the mesmerizing sight of meteor showers. As Earth passes through the tail of a comet, we get to see a large number of meteors entering Earth’s atmosphere, creating a spectacle often referred to as shooting stars. These meteor showers are periodic and can be expected at certain times of the year.

Collisions: The Impact

The collision of meteorites with Earth has led to various impacts - from creating giant craters to affecting the climate. For instance, the Vredefort crater in South Africa, which is approximately 300 kilometers wide, was created by the impact of a massive meteorite.

Vocabulary Time

Let’s dive into some vocabulary!

miserable

/ˈmɪz(ə)rəbl/

  • Origin: late Middle English: from French misérable, from Latin miserabilis ‘pitiable’, from miserari ‘to pity’, from miser ‘wretched’.
  • Definition: (of a person) wretchedly unhappy or uncomfortable; pitiably small or inadequate.

Example: The collision of a large meteorite could have miserable consequences for life on Earth.

comprehensible

/ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbl/

  • Origin: late 15th century: from French compréhensible or Latin comprehensibilis, from comprehens- ‘seized, comprised’, from the verb comprehendere.
  • Definition: able to be understood; intelligible.

Example: The scientific explanations about meteorites were made comprehensible to the general audience.

sword

/sɔːd/

  • Origin: Old English sw(e)ord, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zwaard and German Schwert.
  • Definition: a weapon with a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard, used for thrusting or striking and now typically worn as part of ceremonial dress.

Example: Some ancient swords were crafted using metals from meteorites.

meteorite

/ˈmiːtɪərʌɪt/

  • Definition: a piece of rock or metal that has fallen to the Earth’s surface from outer space as a meteor. Over 90 per cent of meteorites are of rock while the remainder consist wholly or partly of iron and nickel.

Example: Meteorite hunters often search deserts and polar regions for these precious space rocks.

collision

/kəˈlɪʒn/

  • Origin: late Middle English: from late Latin collisio(n-), from Latin collidere ‘strike together’.
  • Definition: an instance of one moving object or person striking violently against another; an instance of two or more records being assigned the same identifier or location in memory.

Example: The collision of meteorites with Earth has fascinated scientists and historians alike.

stargaze

/ˈstɑːɡeɪz/

  • Definition: observe the stars; observe celebrities.

Example: Many people stargaze during meteor showers to witness the stunning display in the night sky.

shooting star

  • Definition: a small, rapidly moving meteor burning up on entering the Earth’s atmosphere; a North American plant with white, pink, or purple hanging flowers with backward-curving petals.

Example: Seeing a shooting star during a meteor shower is considered lucky by some cultures.

Wrapping Up

We hope this journey through space was enlightening! Understanding meteorites and the effects of their collisions with Earth provides us with a glimpse into the vast universe that surrounds us. Until next time, keep stargazing and learning!