What do we call a meteoroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere to hit the Earth's surface?

A meteoroid that survives its journey through the Earth's atmosphere and makes contact with the surface is known as a meteorite. During its passage through the atmosphere, a meteoroid experiences intense friction, which causes it to heat up and often glow, creating what is observed as a meteor or "shooting star." If the meteoroid withstands this process and lands on the Earth, it is then classified as a meteorite.

This classification is important in the study of celestial objects as it helps scientists understand their composition, origin, and the conditions of the early solar system. A comet, on the other hand, is an icy body that develops a tail when it approaches the sun. An asteroid is a larger rocky body that orbits the sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Meanwhile, a meteor refers to the visible streak of light produced when a meteoroid enters the atmosphere. Hence, the precise definition of a meteorite is crucial and illustrates the journey of these space rocks from the cosmos to our planet.