What must a meteor do in order to become a meteorite?

A meteor must hit Earth’s surface to become a meteorite.

The terms describe different stages of the same space-rock journey. A meteoroid is the rocky or metallic object while it remains in space. When it enters an atmosphere and produces a visible streak of light through heating and ablation, it is called a meteor. If some of that object survives the passage and lands on the ground, it is then classified as a meteorite.

Not every meteor produces a meteorite. Many objects burn up completely, while others break apart high in the atmosphere. The visible flash is therefore not itself a meteorite; it is the meteor phenomenon created during atmospheric entry.

Meteorites are commonly grouped as stony, iron, or stony-iron. Scientists study them because they preserve material from asteroids and, in some cases, the early Solar System. A meteorite recovered after its fall has been observed is called a meteorite fall; one found later is a meteorite find.