Astronomy Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Preparation Guide

Meteorites are defined as solid fragments of meteoroids that survive their passage through the Earth's atmosphere and land on the surface of our planet. Thus, the characterization of them as large meteors that hit the Earth's surface aligns closely with their actual scientific definition.

When meteoroids enter the atmosphere and create bright flashes of light, those bright flashes are referred to as meteors, not meteorites. This distinction is crucial because while all meteorites come from meteoroids, not all meteors become meteorites; they must successfully land on Earth after enduring the intense heat of atmospheric entry.

The first option mentions small celestial bodies that orbit the sun, which describes asteroids or comets rather than meteorites specifically. The third option describes the phenomenon of meteors which are transient and do not land. Lastly, the fourth option refers to comets, which are indeed frozen chunks of gas and dust but not meteorites.

Therefore, the choice describing meteorites as large meteors that impact the Earth accurately captures the essence of what meteorites are and their origin.