Maharashtra

• 20 Mar 2025

Meteorites in Maharashtra

Why in News? 

Scientists examined and identified two stones that crashed from the sky in Beed Village of Maharashtra as meteorites. 

 Key Points 

• Scientists Invited for Examination: 
  • The Beed district administration called upon experts from the MGM APJ Abdul Kalam Astro and Space Science Centre, based in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, to analyze the fallen stones. 
• Meteorite Origin: 
  • Scientists assessed the objects based on gravity, magnetic properties, and other parameters. 
  • Preliminary analysis suggests the stones are small fragments of an asteroid that entered Earth's atmosphere. 
    • Further studies are underway to confirm their composition and origin. 
• Probability of Meteorites Reaching Earth: 
  • It was emphasized that meteorites rarely reach Earth's surface. 
    • Meteors, commonly seen in the sky, originate from comets or asteroids and typically burn up upon entering the atmosphere. 
  • Only a meteoroid that survives atmospheric entry and lands on Earth's surface qualifies as a meteorite. 
• First Recorded Meteorite Incident in Marathwada in Years: 
  • Experts noted that this is the first known meteorite fall in Marathwada in many years, making it a rare astronomical event. 

 Meteorite 

• About: 
  • A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from space that survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface. 
• Difference between Meteor, Meteorite and Meteoroid: 
  • The difference between a meteor, meteorite and meteoroid depends on where the object is. 
  • Meteoroids are objects in space that range in size from dust grains to small asteroids. 
  • But when meteoroids enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they are called meteors. 
  • But if a meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere and hits the ground, it is called a meteorite.