NASA and SETI researchers identify seven stages of meteorite atmospheric entry

Researchers from the SETI Institute and NASA Ames Research Center have identified a seven-stage process that space rocks undergo when entering Earth's atmosphere. By analyzing 75 documented meteorite falls recorded via video and photography, the study published in ‘Meteoritics & Planetary Science’ reveals that the journey is more complex than previously understood.

The process begins high in the atmosphere where a meteoroid creates a shock wave, heating the air and the rock to produce a visible meteor. As the object descends into thicker air, it may spin rapidly and develop into a fireball. The study highlights that mass loss occurs primarily through melting and fragmentation rather than simple evaporation.

Key stages include the initial heating and melting, fragmentation which increases surface area, and the eventual formation of a fusion crust as the remaining thin layer of rock cools. This model provides scientists with a more precise method to link recovered meteorites found on the ground to the light and sound recorded during their atmospheric descent.